{"id":1620492,"url":"https://alion.io/job/ara-senior-autonomy-engineer","title":"Senior Autonomy Engineer","company":{"id":2028479,"name":"Applied Research Associates","domain":"ara.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/ara-com","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"UltiPro","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":16,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-10-06T05:45:30Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":95000,"max_usd":183000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":4338},"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Sensor Fusion","optional":false},{"name":"ROS2","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-25T15:28:20Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-25","last_verified_at":"2026-10-06T23:49:11Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":11,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":11},"description":"About Neya Systems / ARA\nNeya 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.\nAbout the Role\nWe 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.\nAs a senior contributor, you will drive complex technical efforts, mentor engineers, analyze system performance, and help shape next-generation autonomy solutions.\nWhat You’ll Do\nLead the design and implementation of autonomy algorithms, behaviors, and system components\nIntegrate autonomy software with robotic platforms and real-world sensor suites\nDrive technical investigations, root-cause analyses, and performance optimizations\nLead field tests, evaluate autonomy behavior, analyze data, and guide improvements\nCollaborate with perception, planning, controls, and systems engineering teams to ensure cohesive system behavior\nServe as a key technical point of contact for customers, program managers, and internal stakeholders\nConduct design reviews, code reviews, and contribute to best practices and technical standards\nMentor junior and mid-level engineers in autonomy development and robotics integration\nSupport customer demos, experiments, and technical events\nTravel 10-25% depending on testing and project needs\nQualifications\nB.S. or M.S. in Robotics, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field\n3+ years of experience developing autonomy or robotics systems (UGVs preferred)\nProficiency in C++ and/or Python for real-time or robotics applications\nStrong understanding of autonomy subsystems: planning, controls, navigation, or sensor fusion\nHands-on experience with sensors (LIDAR, cameras, GPS/INS, radar) and hardware integration\nExperience with software design, debugging, and performance analysis across complex systems\nAbility to work independently to solve complex technical problems\nStrong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines\nPreferred Skills\nROS2 experience\nExperience with behavior/state machine frameworks\nKnowledge of mapping, perception algorithms, or multi-sensor fusion\nEmbedded or real-time system experience\nExperience in safety-critical or mission-critical robotics environments\nPrior experience mentoring or providing technical leadership\nWhy Join Neya / ARA?\nWe offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, professional development funding, and the opportunity to contribute to high-impact autonomy and robotics programs supporting national defense missions.","description_format":"text","description_chars":3157,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":3,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Design & Creative","Industrial Design","IT Help Desk & Service 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