Senior Autonomy Engineer (AI) – NODA AI

Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid on-site, with up to 20% travel)
Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance

We are building the autonomy layers that allow systems from multiple domains to operate in synchronized, adaptive, and resilient ways. Our autonomy engineers bridge the gap between high-level AI-driven mission intent and real-world execution across UAVs, USVs, and UUVs operating in contested and dynamic environments.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Autonomy Engineer to design and implement the autonomy stack that powers adaptive multi-vehicle orchestration. This role focuses on mission planning, path generation, behavior execution, and task allocation across heterogeneous fleets.

You will work at the intersection of AI reasoning frameworks, event-driven autonomy stacks (e.g., Zenoh, MQTT), and distributed multi-agent systems, ensuring mission intent can be reliably executed and adapted in real-world conditions. Success in this role requires strong technical foundations in robotics, practical systems thinking, and a passion for delivering robust autonomy where reliability is non-negotiable.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement autonomy modules including path planning, task allocation, behavior trees, and reactive execution models

• Develop and maintain the autonomy framework that integrates with orchestration (AI-driven mission planning) and world modeling

• Ensure AI-generated plans are executable, explainable, and safe across multi-domain robotic platforms

• Implement and validate navigation, control, and autonomy behaviors for UAVs, USVs, and UUVs using event-driven middleware (Zenoh, MQTT, or similar) and simulation environments

• Profile and optimize autonomy performance for edge compute hardware (Jetson, Raspberry Pi-class devices)

• Conduct simulation-in-loop and hardware-in-loop testing to validate autonomy behaviors before live field deployment

• Contribute to safety, reliability, and compliance practices for autonomy in defense-relevant missions

• Collaborate across AI, networking, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless orchestration of multi-vehicle operations

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years experience developing autonomy or robotics systems

• Proficiency in C++ and Python for real-time autonomy development

• Strong hands-on experience with event-driven/pub-sub middleware (Zenoh, MQTT, DDS, or similar)

• Background in motion planning, navigation, and control systems

• Experience with state estimation, sensor fusion, and autonomy validation

• Familiarity with behavior trees, task allocation, or symbolic planners

• Knowledge of simulation environments (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, AirSim, or equivalent)

• Due to the nature of the position, U.S. citizenship is required due to ITAR regulations, along with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in Rust for systems-level/real-time autonomy development

• Experience with multi-agent coordination and swarm robotics

• Exposure to autonomous vehicle domains (UAVs, UUVs, USVs)

• Familiarity with MAVLink, JAUS, or STANAG 4586 protocols

• Background in AI planning, reinforcement learning, or constraint solvers

• Experience optimizing autonomy for embedded/real-time performance

• Prior exposure to defense or aerospace autonomy systems

• Contributions to open-source robotics or autonomy projects

Skills & Attributes

• Systems thinker: able to connect autonomy layers with AI reasoning and orchestration.

• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills in both simulation and field environments.

• Cross-disciplinary collaborator, comfortable working with AI, networking, and data engineering teams.

• Thrives in ambiguous, mission-driven problem spaces.

• Detail-oriented and safety-focused, with commitment to reliable autonomy in critical missions.

• We offer premium medical, dental, and vision coverage with zero paycheck premiums for you and your family

• Equity grants for new hires

• Unlimited PTO

• 11 Paid holidays

• Generous Parental Leave

• FSA

• DCFSA

• HSA

• Professional Development Opportunities

• Access to One Medical

Growth Path at NODA

• Senior Autonomy Engineer – lead development of autonomy modules and mentor engineers.

• Staff/Principal Engineer – drive cross-domain autonomy integration, standards, and frameworks.

• Autonomy Lead – own the autonomy stack and guide integration with AI-driven orchestration at scale.

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