Autonomy Engineer

What We Do

At the SEI AI Division, we conduct research in applied artificial intelligence and the engineering questions related to the practical design and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and systems. We currently lead a community-wide movement to mature the discipline of AI Engineering for Defense and National Security. As our government customers adopt AI and machine learning (ML) to provide leap-ahead mission capabilities, we build real-world, mission-scale AI capabilities through solving practical engineering problems, discover and define the processes, practices, and tools to support operationalizing AI for robust, secure, scalable, and human-centered mission capabilities, prepare our customers to be ready for the unique challenges of adopting, deploying, using, and maintaining AI capabilities, and identify and investigate emerging AI and AI-adjacent technologies that are rapidly transforming the technology landscape.

As an autonomy engineer in the AI for Autonomy Lab, you will identify, shape, apply, conduct, and lead engineering research that matches critical U.S. government needs. The AI for Autonomy Lab researches and demonstrates the application of AI-related technologies for improving the performance of autonomy systems. This position will have a primary focus on enhancing our simulation capabilities and applying these tools to support autonomy-related projects.

• Solution Development:
  You’ll work with and lead interdisciplinary teams to turn research results into prototype operational capabilities for government customers and stakeholders.
• Hands-on Prototyping:
  You’ll conduct and lead novel prototyping in applied artificial intelligence with a focus on machine learning in autonomy and uncrewed systems (multi-domain).
• Strategy:
  You’ll work with AI Division leaders and colleagues to plan, develop, and carry out an overall research and engineering strategy, and to influence the national research and engineering agenda regarding future technology.
• Collaboration:
  
  You’ll actively participate on teams of software developers, researchers, designers, and technical leads. You’ll build relationships and collaborate with researchers, government customers, and other stakeholders to understand challenges, needs, possible solutions, and research and engineering directions.
• Mentoring:
  You’ll contribute to improving the overall technical capabilities of the team by mentoring and teaching others, participating in design (software and otherwise) sessions, and sharing insights and wisdom across the SEI AI Division.

• BS in Computer Science or related discipline with eight (8) years of experience; MS in the same fields with five (5) years of experience;
  PhD in Computer Science with two (2) years of experience.
• This position is based onsite 5 days per week at SEI’s offices in either Pittsburgh, PA or Arlington, VA.
• Flexible to travel to other SEI offices in Pittsburgh and Washington, DC, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings on occasion. Moderate (25%) travel outside of your home location.
• You will be subject to a background investigation and must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.

• Deep Technical Knowledge:
  You have performed extensive research or engineering activities in applied autonomy and artificial intelligence. You have worked with tools, techniques, algorithms, software, and programming languages for deep learning, reinforcement learning, statistics, sensors and sensor fusion, planning, computer vision, or related areas. In addition, you have demonstrated applying systems engineering principles and collaborated across multi-disciplinary project teams. You have supported multiple phases of the engineering lifecycle and understand the requirements for successful deployment and operation of complex systems.
• Modeling & Simulation:
  You have deep experience using simulators for development, ML model training, and evaluation activities supporting uncrewed vehicle use cases. You understand current state of the art modelling techniques to build digital twin 3D objects and…