{"id":2446635,"url":"https://alion.io/job/aerovironment-lead-autonomy-robotics-engineer","title":"Lead Autonomy Robotics Engineer","company":{"id":176366,"name":"AeroVironment","domain":"avinc.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/aerovironment","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":81,"open_postings":33,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.758,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":31,"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Robotics","role_family":"Robotics","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Moorpark, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":151000,"max":230250,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":230250},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"Computer Vision","optional":true},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":true},{"name":"Model Predictive Control","optional":true},{"name":"Path Planning","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-13T13:45:28Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-13","last_verified_at":"2026-10-18T21:04:22Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":6,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":6},"description":"Worker Type\nRegularJob Description\nSummary \nThe Lead Autonomy Robotics Engineer has the opportunity to work with a highly collaborative team of engineers as they add robust autonomous execution to AeroVironment's diverse portfolio of unmanned aerial vehicles. Robust autonomous execution is crucial to AV's continued success in the UAS marketplace. As a Senior Autonomy & Robotics engineer, one builds the algorithms and tools necessary to achieve this.\nPosition Responsibilities\nFocuses on delivering well architected, functionally complete, and rigorously tested research products. \nContributes to core technology including: Development of robotic autonomy algorithms capable of making robust decisions for planning and control in uncertain, dynamic environments for single or multi-vehicle operations using state-of-the-art techniques from academia and industry \nGPS Denied technologies \nTarget detection, classification, localization, and tracking (DCLT) \nEmbedded systems architecture \nSensor characterization and integration - EO, Camera, Radar, Acoustic, and/or Lidar \nUI/UX design for mobile operator platforms \nModeling and simulation \nSoftware development and testing \n\nMentors junior employees, as this provides personal fulfillment and growth for the parties involved, as well as providing cultural benefit for the company as a whole \nWorks on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of variable factors. \nDetermines methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other personnel (Team Lead) \nOther duties as assigned \nBasic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)\nBachelor's degree in Degree in Mathematics, Computer Science/Engineering or related field is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience \nMinimum of 8 - 12 years' relevant engineering experience \nExperienced implementing state-of-the-art (SOTA) algorithms on real hardware. Bonus: implementation on low size, weight, and power (SWAP) devices \nDemonstrated ability to get all the pieces of a complex system functioning together towards a common purpose; e.g. strong system design and test background \nSolid software engineering skills with focus on modularity, portability, and testability \nExperienced with C/C++ required. Modern standards (11, 14, 17+) preferred \nDeep familiarity with one or more of the following technology areas (bonus points for UAS applications): \nGPS denied systems and requirements \nPath planning and trajectory generation \nMulti-vehicle coordination \nUncertainty quantification/estimation \nComputer vision: scene segmentation, feature extraction, template matching, image descriptors, object detection and localization \nAdvanced control methodologies: robust adaptive control, optimal control with dynamic programming, model predictive control (MPC) \nExperimental design and interpretation of results \nSome intrastate travel and other travel within the Continental U.S. may be required (up to 30%) \nOther Qualifications & Desired Competencies\nMS or PhD in related field is highly preferred \nExperienced with Matlab and/or Python preferred \nProficiency with office software and computer-based productivity tools \nDemonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills \nDemonstrates effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and leadership skills \nIs a team player and collaborates effectively \nAble to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties \nDisplays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives \nTakes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products \nIs committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company \nPhysical Demands\nAbility to work in an office environment (Constant)\nRequired to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)\nSpecial Requirements\nU.S. Citizenship required. Presently holds or capable of obtaining a U.S. Security Clearance\nOccasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.\nClearance Level\nNo ClearanceThe salary range for this role is:\n$151,000 - $230,250AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.\nITAR Requirement:\nThis position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.\nBenefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.\nWe also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.\nPrincipals only need apply. NO agencies please.\nAbout AV:\nAV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.\nWe don’t just build defense technology-we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.\nFounded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.\nIf you're ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there’s no better place to do it than AV.\nWe are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.\nITAR\nU.S. Citizenship required. 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