Senior Research Engineer

Senior Research Engineer I – Texas A&M University System Offices – Bush Combat Development Complex

Location:

Bryan, Texas. Salary: $6,251.00 – $10,000.00 per month.

The Senior Research Engineer I serves as a lead technical architect and contributor, driving the high‑level design of the Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC) autonomy stacks while scoping and prototyping solutions for emerging technical challenges. At the BCDC, the engineer develops next‑generation autonomous systems that enable coordinated, heterogeneous fleets—ranging from tactical UTVs and UGVs to UAVs and autonomous helicopters—to operate in complex, unstructured environments.

The role focuses on integrating diverse platforms, advancing multi‑agent coordination, shared situational awareness, and translating theoretical breakthroughs into field‑demonstrated technologies.

• Architects and implements the core frameworks for multi‑agent coordination, setting standards for modularity, performance, and scalability across all BCDC autonomy stacks.
• Conducts targeted background research in unfamiliar technical domains to scope emerging problems and develop initial proof‑of‑concept prototypes.
• Acts as a primary developer for the most complex algorithmic challenges, producing high‑performance, robust code (Python/C++) for embedded hardware and ROS2 middleware.
• Drives the development of cross‑platform communication and shared situational awareness architectures, ensuring seamless integration of air and ground assets.
• Serves as a technical authority on the evolution of the autonomy stacks, identifying and implementing emerging technologies that enhance multi‑agent performance.
• Directs the design of multi‑level simulation environments, ensuring accurate field‑deployment representation for heterogeneous fleets.
• Architects integrated hardware‑software systems, conducting technical trade studies to select sensor suites and compute platforms that optimize mission‑level capabilities.
• Oversees the system‑level integration of ROS2 nodes across complex platforms, including autonomous helicopters and robotic ground vehicles, to ensure hardware‑software synergy.
• Leads high‑stakes system experimentation and field testing at the RELLIS campus, serving as the technical lead for large‑scale demonstrations and ensuring mission success.
• Analyzes complex field data to generate system‑level requirements and performance metrics, closing the loop between experimental results and future development cycles.
• Ensures technical continuity across multiple projects, helping the team balance efforts between established research and high‑priority new initiatives.
• Mentors research staff through high‑level design reviews and collaborative implementation, elevating the technical standard of the entire development group.
• Translates high‑level mission objectives and guidance from senior staff into robust system architectures and actionable development roadmaps.
• Collaborates with faculty and senior staff to identify and pursue new research opportunities, leads the development of technical proposals, and identifies strategic funding trajectories for the autonomy group.
• Leads the generation of high‑impact technical reports, presentations, and peer‑reviewed publications.

• Master's degree in an applicable field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six years of related experience.
• Experience prototyping architectures for decentralized communication frameworks, with the ability to select and implement middleware solutions for varying mission requirements.
• Experience identifying funding opportunities and contributing to the development of technical proposals for research sponsors.

• Must be able to obtain a U.S. Department of War Security Clearance.

• This is a security‑sensitive position and is restricted to U.S. citizens only.
• Only complete applications will be considered; incomplete data may result in rejection without the option to reapply.
• Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and requisite information.

• Competitive health benefits.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Defined benefit retirement plan (Teacher Retirement System of Texas).
• Defined contribution retirement plan with employer contribution through an approved ORP vendor.
• Additional voluntary tax‑deferred annuity (TDA) options.
• Tuition assistance.
• Wellness programs to promote work/life balance.

The Texas A&M System is an Equal Opportunity, Veterans, and Disability Employer.