{"id":167260,"url":"https://alion.io/job/draper-senior-software-autonomy-engineer","title":"Senior Software Autonomy Engineer","company":{"id":58532,"name":"Draper","domain":"draper.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/draper-com","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":78,"open_postings":51,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.882,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":30,"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Cambridge, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":82300,"max":245000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":245000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Motion Planning","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"ROS","optional":false},{"name":"ROS2","optional":false},{"name":"Simulink","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-20T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-13","last_verified_at":"2026-10-17T04:53:39Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":58,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":1,"flags":[],"days_open":58},"description":"Overview:\nDraper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.\nJob Description Summary:\nWe are seeking a highly skilled Autonomy Engineer to design and develop autonomous behaviors for multi-domain heterogeneous teams of autonomous vehicles. The Senior Autonomy Engineer will work on cutting-edge defense systems that is fielded by the US Government and commercial customers in aerial, ground, underwater, and space domains. The preferred candidate has expert knowledge in the following areas;Task and motion planning\nSoftware integration and testing with robotics platforms\nHybrid methods that augment deterministic autonomy algorithms with AI-based approaches\nOptimization and resource allocation for large team of teams\n• C/C++, ROS/ROS2\nJob Description:\nDuties/Responsibilities\nEvaluates requirements, proposes solutions, explores design trades to support a design.\nDesigns algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques.\nDevelops embedded software based on prototype algorithms.\nAnalyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.\nDevelops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements.\nEvaluates results to establish problem causes and develop solutions for inefficient or problems.\nPrepares technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.\nCommunicates with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables.\nTracks priorities, scope, schedule, and cost.\nPerforms other duties as assigned. Skills/Abilities\nStrong programming skills in MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C/C++.\nExcellent analytical and problem-solving skills.\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills.\nKnowledge of Autonomy and GNC algorithms and technology.\nKnowledge of real-time software development tools\nKnowledge of project execution, designing, developing, and validating real-time algorithms and software.\nFamiliarity with trajectory optimization, optimal control, and similar techniques.\nSignificant knowledge in the design and analysis of control systems.\nSignificant knowledge of design and implementation of trajectory design/optimization algorithms including optimal control techniques.\nStrong project execution and teamwork skills.\nStrong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. - Ability to clearly communicate work assignments to team members. Education\nBachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is required.\nMasters or PhD in a related field is preferred. Experience 5-10 years of Software Engineering or related experience is required.\nAdditional Job Description:\nApplicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. Secret clearance is preferred.\nConnect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.\nJob Location - City:\nCambridgeJob Location - State:\nMassachusettsJob Location - Postal Code:\n02139-3563The US base salary range for this full-time position is\n$82,300.00 - $245,000.00Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role.Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.\nOur work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.\nDraper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact .","description_format":"text","description_chars":5441,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":true},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["C4ISR","Avionics & Flight Control","Research Institutes"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-08-20T00:00:00Z"},{"event":"close","at":"2026-09-14T13:24:44Z"},{"event":"restore","at":"2026-09-15T01:43:07Z"},{"event":"close","at":"2026-10-10T12:36:10Z"},{"event":"reopen","at":"2026-10-13T11:51:17Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":15,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.426,"p_room":0.36,"age_days":58,"expected_fill_days":30,"reasons":["conf:0","stale_co","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":245000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/draper-senior-software-autonomy-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/draper-senior-software-autonomy-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-17T06:25:35Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":8694,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-18T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":58532},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=58532"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fdraper-senior-software-autonomy-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fdraper-senior-software-autonomy-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fdraper-senior-software-autonomy-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/draper-senior-software-autonomy-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fdraper-senior-software-autonomy-engineer"}]}