Senior Autonomous System Engineer
First seen by Alion on Oct 6, 2026.
Job Summary :
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Engineer to lead the development and integration of advanced autonomous aerial systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong academic background in Robotics, Aerospace, or Control Systems, with hands-on expertise in UAV flight stacks (PX4/ArduPilot), V-SLAM, and autonomous navigation in GNSS-denied environments.
Key Responsibilities :
- Lead UAS Development : Drive the design, development, and deployment of autonomous UAS platforms, including swarming behaviors and mission-specific adaptations.
- Software Architecture & Implementation : Architect and implement robust software solutions using ROS/ROS2, C++, and Python for real-time aerial navigation and control.
- Advanced Perception & Navigation : Oversee Visual-SLAM algorithms and sensor fusion (LiDAR, Radar, cameras, IMU) to enable obstacle avoidance, 3D mapping, and autonomous navigation in complex environments.
- Flight Control Systems Management : Customize and optimize flight control systems using PX4 or ArduPilot, including PID tuning and EKF optimization.
- Systems Integration : Coordinate integration across flight controllers, companion computers, and tactical payloads to ensure seamless performance.
- Simulation & Testing : Develop, validate, and iterate autonomous behaviors in high-fidelity simulation environments such as Gazebo, AirSim, or Unity.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration : Work closely with hardware, avionics, and flight-testing teams to ensure end-to-end system performance.
- Mentorship & Technical Leadership : Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical strategy for autonomous ISR and electronic warfare roadmaps.
- Compliance & Standards : Ensure all systems meet safety, performance, and regulatory standards, including DGCA and military reliability requirements.
Technical Skills :
- Programming & Software : Proficient in ROS/ROS2, C++, and Python within embedded Linux environments.
- UAV Dynamics & Navigation : Strong understanding of UAV dynamics, path planning algorithms (e.g., A-, RRT), and state estimation.
- Flight Control & Communication : Expertise with PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, and UAVCAN protocols.
- Simulation & Testing : Experienced with Gazebo, AirSim, and SITL/HITL workflows for validating autonomous behaviors.
- Perception & Sensor Integration : Hands-on experience with LiDAR-based SLAM, optical flow, and GNSS-denied positioning.
- Hardware Optimization : Skilled in debugging and optimizing compute-constrained onboard hardware (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson and similar platforms).
Required Qualifications :
- M.Tech in Robotics, Aerospace, Autonomous Systems, or Control Systems.
- 8-10+ years in autonomous systems development, including at least 5 years focused on UAS/UAV platforms.
Skills
Robotics, ROS, C++, Python, Embedded System, Computer Vision, Linux, Aerospace, Drone/UAV Systems, LIDAR