Senior Autonomous Systems Engineer

Nevada National Security Sites•Santa Barbara, CA

1d•$101,525 - $152,298•Onsite

About The Position

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). MSTS is seeking a Senior Autonomous Systems Engineer to design and deploy next-generation control systems that bridge industrial automation, embedded hardware and intelligent algorithms. This role goes beyond traditional controls combining hands-on system development with modern approaches to sensing, data and adaptive optimization. You will work across the full stack, from selecting hardware and programming controllers to integrating AI/ML techniques that enable closed-loop performance improvements. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable at the bench and in code, thrives in multidisciplinary environments and is motivated to build systems that operate reliably in complex real-world conditions. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the Special Technologies Laboratory is a key satellite location within the NNSS and is responsive to NNSA nuclear security mission requirements and broader national security objectives. At STL “problem solving is in the DNA,” using a diverse team of experts composed of scientists, engineers, technicians, facilities specialists, academic collaborators, and professional support staff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) required for Civil, Mechanical and Electrical engineering degrees Or, Calculus-based STEM bachelor’s degree in engineering Or, for Architects, Certification from the National Council or Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) Or Professional Engineer license Plus at least 5 years’ relevant experience.
Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge; graduate research experience may be recognized.
Demonstrated desire to learn and innovate.
Hands-on experience with PLC programming and/or embedded firmware development (e.g. C/C++, Python)
Demonstrated ability to architect and debug complex systems spanning sensors, actuators, and control logic
Should be self-motivated and able to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
Ideally, the applicant will have strong time-management skills.
Be well organized, maintain safe work habits and have a broad range of technical interests and education.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write reports and technical documents.
Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age.

Responsibilities

Architect and build end-to-end control systems integrating PLCs, embedded platforms, sensors and actuators for real-world applications.
Develop and implement control logic and firmware across industrial and embedded environments, from low-level interfaces to supervisory control.
Translate systems goals into close-loop solutions, combining sensing, signal processing and control strategies to achieve reliable performance.
Partner with AI/ML specialists to optimize system behavior, enable adaptive control and detect anomalies.
Prototype, test and refine systems in the lab and field, troubleshooting across hardware and software boundaries to ensure robust operation.