Principal Autonomy Software Engineer

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Job No: 503126

Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)

Location: Dayton, OH

Category: Research Institute Staff

Department: UAS & Embedded Systems - 250651

Pay Grade: R4 - Exempt

Advertised: October 08, 2025

Applications close: Open until filled

Join the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) - Autonomy Systems division and lead groundbreaking research that transforms how autonomous systems operate in complex environments. As a Principal Autonomy Software Engineer, you will be responsible for researching and developing practical multi-vehicle autonomous solutions across a variety of projects.

Multi-vehicle Autonomous Controls research involves coordinating, synchronizing, and overseeing groups of autonomous vehicles involving control theory, computer science, and human factors.

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace, Computer Science or equivalent
• 10+ years of experience in research within the US Defense Industry (DoD or related)
• Successful experience with modern C++
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates must be a U.S. citizen and cannot hold dual citizenship
• Eligibility to obtain a United States SECRET clearance (or higher) is required for ongoing employment in this position

• MS degree, or higher, in related field
• 13+ years of experience in research within the US Defense Industry (DoD or related)
• Experience interacting with Air Force customers or clients
• Experience with full software lifecycle
• Demonstrated experience programming in algorithm-level languages such as Matlab/Simulink, Python or similar
• Demonstrated experience developing software to communicate with hardware devices, sensors, and/or systems
• Demonstrated experience with source code version control systems (Git, Subversion, or similar)
• Demonstrated experience with Agile, Scrum, or similar software development practices
• Demonstrated experience integrating complex systems of systems (SoS) from multiple vendors
• Experience with sensing modalities (EO, IR, SAR, MTI, HSI, LiDAR, PI)
• Experience with embedded systems design and programming, including RTOS
• Experience with multi-ISR systems at high TRL
• Experience leading technical teams
• Experience developing and interacting with 6
  
  DOF models
• Experience with multi-agent cooperative path planning
• Active US SECRET (or higher) clearance

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.

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