Lead Undersea Vehicle Roboticist

STR • Woburn, MA

1d • $158,000 - $220,000

About The Position

The Sensors Division within STR focuses on the development and analysis of advanced sensor systems in the RF, acoustic, and electro-optical domains. This includes the design and development of novel sensors and advanced information processing techniques from ideation to prototype implementations. The Subsea and Seabed Systems (SSS) Group develops and delivers advanced undersea sensor and signal processing systems related to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and counter-ISR applications.
Are you passionate about pushing the boundaries of undersea robotics? Do you thrive on solving complex challenges and leading the development of cutting-edge autonomous systems? We are seeking a Lead Undersea Vehicle Roboticist to join our team and spearhead the design, development, and implementation of advanced control systems and embedded software for novel uncrewed undersea vehicles.
In this role, you will be at the forefront of innovation, driving the creation of flight control systems that enable mission-level autonomy for next-generation undersea platforms. You will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists, leveraging your expertise in robotic frameworks, sensor integration, and control law development to bring white-sheet vehicle designs to life.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (Master’s or Ph.D. preferred)
• 8-10+ years of experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or related fields, with a focus on control systems and embedded software development
• Proven track record of taking white-sheet vehicle designs from concept to full operational functionality
• Deep expertise in robotic frameworks such as ROS, MOOS-IvP, UMAA, or similar platforms
• Strong understanding of control theory, sensor fusion, and real-time systems
• Hands-on experience with integrating and utilizing onboard sensors, including IMUs, depth sensors, and navigation systems, to implement control laws
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or similar, with a focus on embedded systems and real-time control applications
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, ideally as part of complex technical projects
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a creative and analytical mindset
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and simulation environments
• Experience with agile development methodologies and version control systems
• Active security clearance
• Experience using modeling and simulation to set system performance expectations for advanced or novel UUV designs
• Experience interacting with U.S. Navy and other U.S. Government organizations and processes
• Experience with field testing, especially at-sea testing including system deployment, operation, and recovery operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of control systems and embedded software for uncrewed undersea vehicles, from concept to operational deployment
• Architect and implement flight control algorithms that integrate onboard attitude, heading, depth, and other sensor data to achieve precise vehicle control and mission execution
• Develop and integrate robotic frameworks such as Robot Operating System (ROS), MOOS-IvP, Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA), or similar platforms to enable robust autonomy
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to ensure seamless integration of hardware and software components
• Conduct simulation, testing, and validation of control systems in both virtual and real-world environments, iterating designs to optimize performance
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence
• Contribute to the development of system-level requirements, architecture, and documentation to support the full lifecycle of undersea vehicle development
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends in robotics, autonomy, and undersea systems, applying them to advance the state of the art.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees