NODA AI

NODA AI

Senior Autonomy Engineer

Austin · Senior

No sponsorshipDetected 2 days ago
PythonC++Data EngineeringCybersecuritySystems EngineeringRoboticsSensorsProblem Solving

About the role

  • This role focuses on mission planning, path generation, behavior execution, and task allocation across heterogeneous fleets.
  • You will work at the intersection of AI reasoning frameworks, ROS2-based autonomy stacks, and distributed multi-agent systems, ensuring mission intent can be reliably executed and adapted in real-world conditions.
  • Success in this role requires strong technical foundations in robotics, practical systems thinking, and a passion for delivering robust autonomy where reliability is non-negotiable.

Responsibilities

  • Design and implement autonomy modules including path planning, task allocation, behavior trees, and reactive execution models.
  • Develop and maintain the autonomy framework that integrates with orchestration (AI-driven mission planning) and world modeling.
  • Implement and validate navigation, control, and autonomy behaviors for UAVs, USVs, and UUVs using ROS2 and simulation environments.
  • Profile and optimize autonomy performance for edge compute hardware (Jetson, Raspberry Pi-class devices).
  • Conduct simulation-in-loop and hardware-in-loop testing to validate autonomy behaviors before live field deployment.
  • Collaborate across AI, networking, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless orchestration of multi-vehicle operations.
  • Senior Autonomy Engineer - lead development of autonomy modules and mentor engineers.
  • Staff/Principal Engineer - drive cross-domain autonomy integration, standards, and frameworks.
  • Autonomy Lead - own the autonomy stack and guide integration with AI-driven orchestration at scale.

Requirements

  • Proficiency in C++ and Python for real-time autonomy development.
  • Strong hands-on experience with ROS2 and robotics middleware.
  • Experience with state estimation, sensor fusion, and autonomy validation.
  • Familiarity with behavior trees, task allocation, or symbolic planners.
  • Knowledge of simulation environments (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, AirSim, or equivalent).
  • U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain a clearance.
  • U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance

Nice to have

  • Experience with multi-agent coordination and swarm robotics.
  • Exposure to autonomous vehicle domains (UAVs, UUVs, USVs).
  • Familiarity with MAVLink, JAUS, or STANAG 4586 protocols.
  • Experience optimizing autonomy for embedded/real-time performance.
  • Prior exposure to defense or aerospace autonomy systems.
  • Contributions to open-source robotics or autonomy projects.
  • Systems thinker: able to connect autonomy layers with AI reasoning and orchestration.
  • Strong problem-solving and debugging skills in both simulation and field environments.

Benefits

  • Flexible time off
  • Generous PTO policy
  • Generous health, dental, and vision benefits

Company info

  • NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company that is transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments.
  • We are developing next-generation solutions that enable the autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in the defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.
  • We are building the autonomy layers that allow systems from multiple domains to operate in synchronized, adaptive, and resilient ways.
  • Our autonomy engineers bridge the gap between high-level AI-driven mission intent and real-world execution across UAVs, USVs, and UUVs operating in contested and dynamic environments.
  • We are seeking a Senior Autonomy Engineer to design and implement the autonomy stack that powers adaptive multi-vehicle orchestration.

Equal opportunity

  • Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
  • All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
  • We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Visa & Work Authorization

  • Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance

This listing is sourced directly from NODA AI's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.