LEAD COMPUTER SCIENTIST - LEAD ENGINEER - PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - Robotics Engineer at Southwest Research Institute

Who We Are:

The Robotics Department is a comprehensive robotics research organization, spanning connected and automated vehicles for on-road and off-road; advanced industrial and manufacturing robotics for all workspaces; and robotics for space applications.

Objectives of this Role:

• Identify and pursue new research directions for current and emerging technologies in automated and autonomous vehicles and manufacturing robotics.
• Propose and lead internal research programs to extend the state of the art in localization, navigation, mapping, path planning, perception, modeling, and simulation.
• Mentor colleagues to raise the bar for research and development across the entire organization.
• Find new applications, industries, and clients for novel automation capabilities.
• Capture new research projects with new and existing clients.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and test advanced robotic technologies (e.g., localization, navigation, mapping, path/trajectory planning, perception, and modeling and simulation).
• Help develop and implement the research direction and strategy of the Robotics Department.
• Keep up with the state of the art and the state of the industry through conferences and publications.
• Write proposals to capture internal and external funding for novel robotics and automation research.
• Develop tools and techniques to improve research and development velocity and capability.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors a Masters or a PhD in Robotics, Mechatronics, Controls, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or other robotics-related degree.
• 8-18 years: Industry, academic, or government research experience in autonomous/automated vehicles or robotics in the unmanned ground (UGV), air (UAS), sea (USV or UUV), or manufacturing robotics domains.
• Strong writing and presentation skills.
• Strong software and software engineering skills; C++/Python preferred.
• 1+ years: Business development and/or proposal writing experience.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.