Autonomy Engineer, Controls

Key Skills

Java Programming, Python Programming, C++, C Programming, SQL, Cloud computing, Scala Programming, Machine learning techniques, Data science techniques, MATLAB Programming, PyTorch, TensorFlow, R Programming

Job Description

Are you a passionate and innovative autonomy engineer looking to help develop state of the art robots and AI products? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission-driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!

Planning and Controls (PAC) is an agile group of engineers focused on researching and developing state-of-the-art algorithms that drive intelligent and confidence-inspiring flight behaviors while accounting for an uncertain and dynamic world.

As a member of PAC, you will work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, task & motion planning, and controls. You will develop technology grounded in first principles and see it take flight, while working with a close-knit team of diverse talents. Your core challenge is to design and implement control laws that enable safe, smooth, and fast flight in the presence of exogenous disturbances for various UAS groups.

What you'll do:

• You will be collaborating with a team of dedicated individuals while taking ownership of specific features within the planning and controls stack 
• Research, design, and implement state of the art control algorithms for real time autonomous systems
• Take new features from ideation to prototyping, full implementation, flight testing, and all the way to field deployment 
• Develop tools for rapid prototypes, simulation, visualization, etc. 
• Participate in brainstorm sessions and software design for challenging issues
• Develop your professional skills and knowledge via regular literature reviews and self-directed learning 
• Work in a collaborative development environment, with an emphasis on continuous integration & delivery, test-driven development 
• Work with middleware frameworks (e.g. ROS, PX4, etc.), build tools (e.g. CMake, Bazel), and compiler toolchains (e.g. gcc, llvm) 

Projects you might work on:

• Non-linear model predictive control
• Online learning of unmodeled dynamics
• Obstacle avoidance with limited sensor observability 
• Multi-agent trajectory planning 

Required qualifications:

• BS in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related engineering fields and 5+ years of professional experience OR MS in relevant engineering field with 2+ years of professional experience 
• Experience with state-of-the-art algorithms in at least one of the following areas: adaptive controls, robust controls, model predictive controls, dynamics modeling, system identification
• Experience tuning control systems in simulation and with hardware 
• Strong C++ and Matlab programmer, experienced in developing clean code and architectures
• Passion for solving complex problems in a fast-moving environment 
• Demonstrated record of working hard, strong communication skills, being a trustworthy teammate, and being kind to others
• Familiarity with at least one of the following areas: optimization, motion planning, graph search 
• Familiarity with git, bash, Python