Autonomy Software Engineer – Path Planning (c++)

Applied Intuition Applied Intuition · Robotics · Ann Arbor, MI · Government

Software Engineer role focused on developing, integrating, and testing core path planning capabilities for autonomous aerial platforms (Group 1-5) for commercial and defense applications. Requires experience in motion planning algorithms (RRT*, A*) and C++/Python development.

What you'd actually do

  1. Write software that operates real autonomous aircraft systems including fighter aircraft, maritime surface vessels, group 1-5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as simulated models to accomplish tactical military missions
  2. Build, leverage, and improve aerial autonomy software architectures that are ultimately tested and deployed on real systems to accomplish military missions
  3. Collaborate with DoD warfighter domain experts and 3rd party UAS vehicle vendors to develop and integrate aerial autonomy software onto OEM hardware

Skills

Required

  • 3-5 years of professional experience in autonomous vehicle motion planning, robotics, or a related field
  • Experience in 3D+ path planning using sampling based methods such as RRT* or similar
  • Experience in 2/2.5D grid based planning methods such as A* or similar
  • Experience developing autonomy algorithms in either C++ or Python
  • Experience developing or implementing outer-loop control systems
  • Strong functional, procedural, data-oriented, and object-oriented programming experience
  • Experience using git, Visual Studio Code, GitLab

Nice to have

  • Experience with UAS GNC/navigation systems such as PX4 and Ardupilot
  • Ability to use data visualization and debugging tools to support autonomy control development
  • Experience developing in Docker and containerized development environments, using Linux-based operating systems (e.g., RHEL, Ubuntu), source control systems, and artifact registries

What the JD emphasized

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance