Research Engineer IV
The Texas A&M University System6 months ago
Bryan, TX, USAStaff+
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and optimize software architectures for multi-agent coordination within autonomy stacks.
- Develop prototype algorithms and high-performance C++ and Python code for embedded hardware and ROS2 middleware.
- Develop perception and navigation stacks for tactical UTVs, UGVs, UAVs, and autonomous helicopters.
- Troubleshoot and debug high-level autonomy system failures and conduct systems-level root-cause analysis.
- Develop multi-level simulation environments and validate algorithms for field deployment.
- Lead sensing and compute hardware trade studies and evaluate sensor fusion strategies.
- Integrate and deploy ROS2 nodes across heterogeneous air and ground platforms.
- Perform hardware integration and tuning for perception and navigation subsystems.
- Provide technical leadership during system experimentation and field testing at the RELLIS campus.
- Mentor junior research staff through collaborative development, code reviews, and field operations.
- Translate research goals into technical roadmaps and software specifications.
- Collaborate with faculty and senior staff on project milestones and research development.
- Lead technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Six years of related experience.
- Experience designing and implementing multi-agent coordination or path-planning frameworks.
- Experience conducting hardware and sensor-fusion trade-off studies.
- Advanced proficiency in ROS2, C++, and Python.
- Ability to evaluate or optimize distributed communication middleware such as DDS Zenoh and ZeroMQ.
- Strong systems-level debugging and root-cause analysis skills on physical hardware.
- Ability to mentor research staff and lead technical sub-projects.
- Working knowledge of Linux system configuration, multi-platform fleet networking, and sensor driver integration.
- Strong communication, technical writing, documentation, and task-planning skills.
- Must be able to obtain a U.S. Department of War Security Clearance.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
Benefits
- Competitive health benefits, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
- Defined benefit retirement plan with employer contributions through the Teachers Retirement System of Texas.
- Potential defined contribution retirement plan with employer contributions through an approved ORP vendor.
- Additional voluntary tax-deferred annuity options, tuition assistance, and wellness programs.
- On-site field experimentation and testing at the RELLIS campus in Bryan, Texas.
About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is a public higher-education and research system that operates 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M–Fort Worth, and the RELLIS Campus. It educates students, conducts research, commercializes technology, and delivers extension and public-service programs across Texas, funded by state appropriations, tuition, grants, and contracts. Headquartered in the Bryan–College Station area, the System coordinates systemwide services and shared infrastructure through its System Offices.