Autonomy Engineer

ARA•Marshall Township, PA

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

Neya Systems, a division of Applied Research Associates (ARA), develops advanced robotics, autonomy, and unmanned systems technologies supporting national defense and mission‑critical applications. We build reliable autonomy capabilities for unmanned ground systems operating in complex, real‑world environments. We are seeking an Autonomy Engineer to support the development, integration, and testing of autonomy software across a range of unmanned ground vehicle platforms. This hybrid position requires working onsite three days per week at our Warrendale, PA office, with flexibility for remote work on the remaining days. In this role, you will work hands‑on with robotic platforms, autonomy algorithms, sensors, and integration workflows. You’ll collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to bring up systems, validate performance, and help deliver high‑reliability autonomy capabilities.

Requirements

B.S. in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
Proficiency in C++ and/or Python
Experience with robotic sensors, hardware integration, or mobile robotics projects
Strong understanding of core software principles: debugging, algorithms, unit testing
Ability to work hands‑on with hardware and equipment
Strong communication and collaboration skills

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with ROS2 or robotics middleware
Experience with perception, mapping, or navigation concepts
Linux development experience
Exposure to embedded or real‑time systems

Responsibilities

Integrate autonomy software with robotic platforms and onboard sensors
Support bring‑up, testing, and debugging of autonomy components in lab and field environments
Contribute to software modules related to navigation, perception, planning, or robotic behaviors
Work closely with senior engineers to diagnose system performance issues and develop solutions
Participate in field tests, collect and analyze data, and help validate autonomy performance
Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, perception, and systems teams
Contribute to documentation, code reviews, and engineering best practices
Travel occasionally (typically 10–25%) for testing or project support