Autonomy Test Integration Engineer

Who We Are: AM Pierce & Associates and Applied Technologies Group (ATG) a wholly owned subsidiary of AM Pierce and Associates is a woman-owned small business providing Engineering & Research Cyber C5ISR Program & Acquisition Management services and solutions to a diverse government and industry client base. We are a stable and growing company who offers our employees a rich benefits package supportive and flexible work environment and the opportunity to work with experts in their field.

The Position: We are looking for a candidate who will be performing the role of an Autonomy Test & Integration Engineer Journeyman. The Autonomy Test & Integration Engineer develops independent test infrastructure used to integrate exercise and evaluate third-party autonomy software. The position is not initially focused on developing autonomy products; however hands-on autonomy implementation experience is a key qualification. Credible autonomy testing requires understanding how autonomy systems represent operational state plan make decisions execute behaviors interact with controlled systems process feedback and adapt to changing mission conditions.

The engineer will apply this knowledge to develop test strategies simulation and integration capabilities test harnesses instrumentation automation analysis tools and vendor adapters capable of supporting different autonomy architectures without designing the test environment around a single vendors implementation.

Salary: The estimated salary range for this position is $100000 $115000 annually based upon an individuals level of experience skillset and education. The range that is given is an estimate and may vary based on contractual constraints. At AM Pierce & Associates it is our goal to provide equitable compensation for all employees.

The Location: Patuxent River MD

The Work Environment: On-site

The Description:

• Design develop integrate and maintain third-party autonomy test frameworks and supporting software.
• Analyze vendor autonomy architectures software interfaces data models decision/execution mechanisms and feedback paths to determine appropriate integration and test approaches.
• Develop adapters test harnesses simulation interfaces instrumentation test automation data collection analysis visualization and supporting tools.
• Adapt the test framework to accommodate different autonomy architectures interfaces execution models and system configurations.
• Develop test strategies that evaluate autonomous behavior and mission performance not simply interface or message compliance.
• Create repeatable scenarios and test stimuli involving changing mission conditions constraints threats failures degraded capabilities resource limitations and other operational events.
• Instrument and analyze autonomy decisions plans behaviors commands state transitions feedback and mission outcomes.
• Determine whether observed anomalies originate in the autonomy implementation integration simulation configuration or test infrastructure.
• Integrate autonomy software with vehicle models mission systems simulations communications infrastructure and external services.
• Support software-in-the-loop hardware-in-the-loop distributed simulation demonstrations experimentation and formal test events.
• Document test architecture procedures assumptions results limitations and technical findings.

Education & Required Experience:

• Active DoD Secret Clearance required.
• Bachelors degree in Computer Science Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering Aerospace Engineering Robotics Systems Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 3-8 years of relevant engineering experience or equivalent demonstrated capability.
• Candidates should have practical experience developing integrating extending debugging or rigorously testing autonomous system software and understand the fundamental autonomy processing chain:

Mission / Task Inputs Operational State Planning / Decision Execution System Command System Response Observation / Feedback Updated State

• Relevant experience may include mission autonomy planning and replanning decision-making behavior execution world models state management vehicle control interfaces mission systems multi-agent coordination resource management runtime feedback or failure recovery.
• The engineer must be capable of examining unfamiliar autonomy implementation and determining what must be stimulated controlled observed measured and evaluated to establish whether the autonomy is operating correctly.
• Hands-on experience implementing integrating debugging or testing autonomy software.
• Demonstrated understanding of the architecture and operation of at least one autonomy system or significant autonomy subsystem.
• Strong software development skills preferably C with Python or similar languages for test automation simulation and analysis.
• Experience with software integration automated testing test harnesses simulation instrumentation or engineering support tools.
• Experience debugging complex software and system-integration problems using logs telemetry runtime traces or similar evidence.
• Linux development and Git/configuration-management experience.
• Strong analytical troubleshooting and technical communication skills.

Desired Experience:

• Experience with multiple autonomy architectures; mission autonomy; robotics or uncrewed systems; AI/planning systems; multi-agent autonomy; aerospace systems; modeling and simulation; SIL/HIL testing; real-time or embedded software; vehicle dynamics; JSBSim FlightGear JSE/JTB AFSIM or similar environments; DDS/UDP/distributed communications; tactical or mission systems; MOSA; and government or defense software development.

Travel:

• On some occasions the employee may be required to drive to offices or buildings near the work rare occasions travel may be required.

AM Pierce & Associates as well as its subsidiaries invests in its employees beyond just compensation. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. AM Pierce & Associates as well as its subsidiaries also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs generally including:

• Medical Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life and Accidental Death & Disability Coverage
• Traditional 401(k) and ROTH 401(k) Retirement Plans
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Incentive Programs Awards and Recognition
• Employee Assistance Program
• Will Preparation
• Identity Theft Protection & Legal Support
• Referral Program
• Voluntary Accident Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Coverage
• Pet Insurance
• Norton Life Lock
• HSA and FSA plans

The specific program and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location date of hire Full or Part-time status and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

For all positions requiring access to technology/software source code that is subject to export control laws employment with the company is contingent on either verifying U.S.-person status or obtaining any necessary license. The applicant will be required to answer certain questions for export control purposes and that information will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law. AM Pierce & Associates as well as its subsidiaries may choose not to apply for a license for such individuals whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code may require authorization and may decline to proceed with an applicant on that basis alone.

AM Pierce and Associates Inc. and Applied Technologies Group Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of AM Pierce and Associates Inc. are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is the policy of AM Pierce & Associates Inc. and Applied Technologies Group Inc. not to discriminate or allow the harassment of employees. All applicable laws are followed to ensure all qualified applicants are employed and employees are treated during employment without regard to their sex gender identity sexual orientation race color religious creed national origin physical or mental disability protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state local or international law.

If you are an individual with a disability require reasonable accommodations to apply for a position with AM Pierce & Associates as well as its subsidiaries through its online applicant system please contact AM Pierce & Associates Human Resources Department at or email us at

If your background meets the qualifications of the position please submit your resume and salary requirements to or submit an application online.

AM Pierce & Associates as well as its subsidiaries verifies employment eligibility through E-Verify.

This is a non-management position.

Required Experience:

IC