Autonomous Vehicle Controls Engineer
LOCATION: Hybrid; Dayton, OH
ELIGIBILITY: US Citizen
CLEARANCE: Successful Background Check Required.
POSITION: Engineer II / Senior Engineer / Principal Engineer
GROUP: Investigative Research & Development (IR&D)
DESCRIPTION:
TECHFORGE Solutions, a TECHFORGE company, is looking for an experienced Scientist or Engineer with experience in Controls Engineering to join our team in the Dayton, OH office.
At TECHFORGE, we work on high complexity autonomy systems and are looking for dynamic, intelligent and motivated autonomy and control theory experts to join our team. You will work on design of the various algorithms that lie at the heart of the systems and subsystems that drive interaction between them and have a direct influence on design decisions. You will join a multi-faceted, collaborative, and experienced team of scientists and engineers who will encourage and help you to develop skills including coding and modelling, mathematics, dynamics and control theory, utilizing leading edge custom and commercial tools such as MATLAB/SIMULINK. You will broaden your technical knowledge of the design and function of complex autonomous vehicle systems and have input into a wide range of work projects, ranging from feasibility studies through high-profile projects.
The ideal candidate must be self-motivated and explore alternatives for quickly prototyping to validate hypothetical architectures or solutions.
For this role we are seeking a competent and motivated expert in Control theory; with proven expertise in the field of aerospace control engineering and applied mathematics. Your expertise will contribute to the team’s ability to develop models and algorithms that govern the application of system inputs to drive the vehicle system state for maximum efficiency, safety, stability of control, optimality, and achievement of mission objectives.
- Guidance – algorithms and software implementations that determine a suitable trajectory and react to environmental factors, meeting customer requirements and system constraints, providing an effective route to target and improving the probability of success;
- Control - maintaining stable flight while following the guidance demands to drive the vehicle onto the trajectory calculated by the guidance algorithms;
- Navigation - estimating the current vehicle state (position, velocity and attitude/orientation) using measurements from a range of on-board sensors;
- Command and Control (C2) - the component of the system that interacts with the human operator. Presenting the context of the mission and calculates the most effective method of engagement against threats.
You will be involved in one or more of these areas of focus:
- Support to concept and feasibility studies.
- Prototype design and implementation.
- Guidance algorithm design, implementation, and evaluation for all phases of vehicle flight.
- Integrated navigation, such as 'Terrain Reference Navigation', and 'GPS integration'.
- Autopilot and control system design and analysis.
- Ground control interface system design and analysis.
- Data fusion to combine data from multiple sensors.
- Internal Research and Development to support future vehicle and technology demonstrators.
- Implementing neural networks and deep learning algorithms and techniques to help solve a range of complex problems.
Functional Responsibility:
As a TECHFORGE team member, the Autonomous Vehicle Controls Engineer will work alone or on a team within an AGILE product development life cycle, supporting activities which include requirements creation, sprint planning, and grooming, etc. to collaborate across time zones via Slack, GitHub, shared documents, and frequent video conferences. The Autonomous Vehicle Controls Engineer will have responsibility for participating in all aspects of agile product development including design, implementation, and deployment for internal and external client product development.
TRAVEL: The role will be Hybrid. The role is primarily remote, but it will require regular (weekly) travel, 2-3 days per week, to Dayton, OH as necessary for team collaboration, client meetings, and/or presentations.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Eligible to obtain a DoD security clearance is required.
- All candidates must pass a full scope background check prior to employment.
- BS Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar engineering/science/technical education.
- Significant professional experience may be accepted in place of a degree, subject to client approval.
- Must be able to travel, domestically, up to 25% as needed.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work in a hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote), collaborative, team environment.
- Experience with remote collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, WebEx, Meet, Zoom, etc.).
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Strong Control Theory background.
- Proven expertise in the field of control engineering and applied mathematics.
- Experience with implementing multi-vehicle autonomy algorithms.
- Experience in aerospace industry aerospace design & engineering.
- BS Degree (or higher) in Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar. Significant (proven) professional experience may be used in lieu of advanced degree.
- Some familiarity with software coding.
- Evidence of prototyping & engineering product development experience.
- Experience with simulation suites (MATLAB/Simulink, AFSIM, etc.).
- Ability to work under time pressure and to a budget.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience in a client-facing role.
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to quality and delivery.
- Self-motivated.
MINIMUM EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in a computer science, Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other engineering related field. No degree is required if the person meets the above qualifications and has at least 7 years of professional experience (subject to client approval).
DESIRED SKILLS:
- MS Degree (or higher) in Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar is highly desired.
- Software coding experience (C, C++, Python).
- Strong understanding of industrial automation (PLC, HMI, control circuits, motion stages, robotics, etc.);
- A good grasp of electronics and software implementations (e.g. microcontrollers, wiring & soldering, LabVIEW or similar);
- Skilled use of CAD software (SolidWorks preferable);
- Proficiency in basic hand tools (sawing, grinding, soldering etc);
- Knowledge of computer vision platforms (e.g. OpenCV);
- Strong interest in in learning new tools, languages, workflows, and philosophies
- Security Clearance: Secret or higher.
- If no clearance; a current (within five years), favorably adjudicated Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).