Senior Autonomy Engineer

ARA Career•Warrendale, PA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Neya Systems, a division of Applied Research Associates (ARA), is a leader in advanced robotics and autonomy technologies supporting national defense and national security missions. We develop high-reliability autonomy software for unmanned ground systems that operate in complex, real-world environments. Our work spans perception, planning, controls, sensor fusion, human-robot interaction, and system integration. We are seeking a Senior Autonomy Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of autonomy capabilities across unmanned ground vehicle platforms. This role requires strong technical depth, hands-on robotics experience, and the ability to work across multiple subsystems including perception, planning, controls, and embedded software. This position is a hybrid role, requiring three days per week onsite at our Warrendale, PA office. As a senior contributor, you will drive complex technical efforts, mentor engineers, analyze system performance, and help shape next-generation autonomy solutions.

Requirements

B.S. or M.S. in Robotics, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
3+ years of experience developing autonomy or robotics systems (UGVs preferred)
Proficiency in C++ and/or Python for real-time or robotics applications
Strong understanding of autonomy subsystems: planning, controls, navigation, or sensor fusion
Hands-on experience with sensors (LIDAR, cameras, GPS/INS, radar) and hardware integration
Experience with software design, debugging, and performance analysis across complex systems
Ability to work independently to solve complex technical problems
Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines

Nice To Haves

ROS2 experience
Experience with behavior/state machine frameworks
Knowledge of mapping, perception algorithms, or multi-sensor fusion
Embedded or real-time system experience
Experience in safety-critical or mission-critical robotics environments
Prior experience mentoring or providing technical leadership

Responsibilities

Lead the design and implementation of autonomy algorithms, behaviors, and system components
Integrate autonomy software with robotic platforms and real-world sensor suites
Drive technical investigations, root-cause analyses, and performance optimizations
Lead field tests, evaluate autonomy behavior, analyze data, and guide improvements
Collaborate with perception, planning, controls, and systems engineering teams to ensure cohesive system behavior
Serve as a key technical point of contact for customers, program managers, and internal stakeholders
Conduct design reviews, code reviews, and contribute to best practices and technical standards
Mentor junior and mid-level engineers in autonomy development and robotics integration
Support customer demos, experiments, and technical events