Autonomous Systems Engineer

We have an opening for a Robotics and Controls Engineer specializing in autonomous sensor systems to support national security will contribute to the design development integration and testing of autonomous systems including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for sensing perception and experimental diagnostics in complex environments. The work spans autonomy pipelines perception systems and control algorithms for a variety of robotic platforms including both simulation and hardware field testing. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and deploy novel autonomy capabilities for programs such as Skyglass Curtain Call and related experimental efforts. The position may involve occasional travel and field tests at remote sites as well as work in laboratory and outdoor test ranges. You will work under general to limited direction depending on level and will be expected to contribute to technical planning execution data analysis and documentation. This position is in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED) within the Engineering Directorate. 

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level. 

In this role you will

• Design and implement autonomous navigation and control functions for UAVs and UGVs using frameworks such as ROS ROS2 ArduPilot PX4 and MAVLink.
• Develop and integrate computer vision and sensor fusion modules (cameras IMU GNSS/GPS) for real-time obstacle detection collision avoidance and precision landing.
• Implement and test autonomy pipelines for robotic platforms including waypoint navigation and mission execution in GPS-enabled and GPS-denied environments.
• Develop control algorithms and perform dynamic modeling for multirotor aircraft wheeled vehicles and legged systems.
• Build and validate simulation environments for robotics testing using tools such as Gazebo Simulink SITL and HITL.
• Develop software for robotics data management and experimental analysis including logging parsing and basic database interaction.
• Apply mathematical and computational techniques to robotics problems such as trajectory generation motion planning and sensor fusion.
• Analyze test data troubleshoot system performance and document findings in technical notes and reports; collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and participate in design reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.2 level

• Provide engineering solutions to moderately complex technical and programmatic challenges in autonomous systems including integration of new sensors or platforms.
• Lead the design integration and field-testing of autonomy pipelines for UAVs and UGVs including test planning execution and post-test analysis.
• Generate detailed technical documentation test plans and schedules for robotics development activities and present technical updates to project leadership.

Qualifications :

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelors degree in Robotics Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Fundamental knowledge of robotics system design controls theory and autonomous navigation principles including feedback control and basic dynamic modeling.
• Experience with robotics middleware and communication protocols such as ROS/ROS2 and MAVLink and familiarity with autopilot systems (ArduPilot PX4).
• Fundamental Programming knowledge in Python and/or C/C for robotics applications including implementation of perception planning or control algorithms.
• Experience developing and validating computer vision and sensor fusion algorithms for tasks such as obstacle detection collision avoidance or precision landing.
• Experience with simulation tools (Gazebo Simulink SITL HITL) and correlating simulation results with field test data.
• Experience identifying defining and solving technical problems in robotics or controls.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present technical information.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Comprehensive knowledge of robotics system design controls and autonomous navigation demonstrated through prior experience in UAV and/or UGV development integration or field testing.
• Experience providing engineering solutions to moderately complex technical problems in robotics and controls including selecting appropriate methods tools and evaluation criteria.
• Experience using standard project management practices to plan and execute technical tasks such as defining milestones estimating effort and tracking progress across multiple concurrent activities.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters degree in Robotics Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering Computer Science or a related field with a focus on robotics controls autonomy or machine learning.
• Hands-on experience with UAV and/or UGV platform development integration and field testing including safety procedures and rapid prototyping.
• Experience applying machine learning or deep learning to robotics problems such as computer vision perception path planning or control.

Pay Range

$121830 - $185544 Annually

$121830 - $154500 Annually for the SES.1 level

$146340 - $185544 Annually for the SES.2 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to specific competencies relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills seniority geographic location performance and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information :

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
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  This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  Also you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  If you are selected we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time