Sr. Robotics Algorithm Engineer

We are a fast-growing, mission-driven company developing advanced military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems for the U.S. Department of Defense. Our work spans autonomous navigation, precision guidance, visual target tracking, GPS-denied operation, path planning, and obstacle avoidance for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) operating in challenging real-world environments. We are seeking a Senior Robotics Algorithm Engineer to design, implement, and deploy high-performance estimation, control, and perception algorithms on operational UAV platforms.

This role offers a rare opportunity to see your algorithms fly—from theory and simulation to flight testing and fielded systems.

• Design, implement, test, and refine estimation, control, and guidance algorithms for autonomous aerial systems.
• Analyze algorithm performance using real flight data, simulation, and data visualization tools.
• Diagnose and resolve algorithmic issues through root-cause analysis of experimental and fielded drone systems.
• Fuse and process data from multiple sensors, including cameras, IMUs, GPS, magnetometers, laser range finders, and barometers.
• Develop production-quality software in C++, C, and Python on Linux-based embedded platforms.
• Identify edge cases and failure modes in autonomy algorithms and improve robustness across diverse environments.
• Collaborate with flight test engineers and system developers to validate algorithms through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and live flight tests.
• Contribute to embedded software development beyond core algorithms, including sensor drivers, timing, and synchronization (C/C++).
• Work with and extend PX4-based flight control systems.
• Support integration and testing of new sensors and payloads.

• Bachelor’s degree required (in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field) with 8+ years of experience working on complex robotic, autonomous, or aerospace systems preferred;
  Master’s Degree or PhD with 2-4 years of relevant experience may be considered as well.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience developing robotics algorithms such as Kalman filtering, factor graph optimization, guidance and control (PID, LQR, frequency-domain analysis), visual tracking, perception, and/or vision-based deep learning.
• Strong software engineering skills in C++, Python, and C, with experience on embedded Linux systems.
• Solid understanding of feedback control systems and practical gain tuning.
• Experience modeling, integrating, and interpreting data from sensors including IMUs, cameras, magnetometers, GPS, laser range finders, and barometers.
• Willingness and ability to travel to flight test sites as needed using a company vehicle (valid driver's license and clean driving record required).

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, refugee, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required U.S. export control authorization from the Departments of State or Commerce.

Join Teledyne FLIR Defense, where we are dedicated to supporting critical missions with an exciting range of cutting-edge technologies. Our products include advanced surveillance sensors, unmanned air and ground vehicles, sensing devices used to detect chemicals, biological agents, radiation and explosives, and a host of other solutions that help warfighters, first responders, and search-and-rescue teams do their jobs better.

We’re looking for passionate innovators eager to shape the future of the Defense and Public Safety industries. If you’re mission-driven to globally collaborate on solutions that can change the battlefield and save lives, we invite you to explore our current opportunities.