Robotics Engineer; Navigation

Overview

Steer

AI Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

Steer

AI is an autonomous mobility technology company powered by Venture One, the commercialization arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council. Steer

AI’s advanced AI-powered autonomy stack, developed by the Technology Innovation Institute, empowers the logistics and defense industries by turning industrial vehicles into autonomous powerhouses that can handle complex off-road missions, transforming operations and protecting organizations' most important assets: their workforce.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly capable and motivated Navigation Engineer to join our robotics team focused on developing advanced navigation systems for Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs). The successful candidate will play a key role in designing and optimizing control and planning algorithms tailored to dynamic and structured environments such as urban or highway settings.

This position demands a strong foundation in control theory, mathematical modeling, system identification and optimization techniques, as well as hands-on experience in real-world autonomous systems. A solid understanding of learning-based control and identification strategies on UGVs is essential.

• Design, develop, and optimize navigation systems for high-speed UGVs, integrating advanced control and planning techniques
• Develop mathematical models representing vehicle dynamics and control behavior for simulation and real-time implementation
• Implement adaptive, robust, and predictive control algorithms to ensure stable, high-performance navigation in dynamic environments
• Research and apply learning-based control and planning techniques, including neural network models for system identification and reinforcement learning for decision making
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including perception, localization, and hardware to ensure seamless integration and operation
• Conduct simulation and real-world testing to validate and refine navigation algorithms
• Analyze system performance and iterate on designs to improve accuracy, efficiency, and robustness
• Document designs, algorithms, and test results clearly for internal review and future development

• Master’s or PhD in Robotics, Control Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• Strong theoretical and practical background in classical control, modern control, and learning-based strategies
• Proficiency in mathematical modeling and optimization of control algorithms
• Experience with system identification techniques, including neural network-based system modeling
• Practical experience with learning-based approaches for motion planning and control
• Experience with using control and optimization libraries such as CasADi, ACADOS, qpOASES, and optionally Ceres Solver
• Hands-on experience with ROS and ROS2, including navigation frameworks like Nav2
• Strong problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment

We offer a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the Autonomous Robotics industry. Our work culture is collaborative and inclusive, with a strong focus on innovation and personal growth.