Autonomy Engineer
LocationPittsburgh, PA; Arlington, VA
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityLead
Experience2+ yrs
DepartmentSoftware/Applications Development/Engineering
Company size1,001–5,000 people
PostedJul 9, 2026 · 3mo ago
Verified live1d ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
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
You will be subject to a background investigation and must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance
Performed extensive research or engineering activities in applied autonomy and artificial intelligence
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
Applied systems engineering principles and collaborated across multi-disciplinary project teams
Supported multiple phases of the engineering lifecycle and understand the requirements for successful deployment and operation of complex systems
Deep experience using simulators for development, ML model training, and evaluation activities supporting uncrewed vehicle use cases
Understand current state of the art modelling techniques to build digital twin 3D objects and environments
Addressed challenges related to marine, land, or space domains including sensor performance and collision meshes
Experience with physics-based simulators such as NVIDIA's Isaac Sim is required
Strong understanding of robotics principles and design techniques for air, sea, or land-based vehicles
Experience applying machine learning within these domains and understand the related implications and challenges
Experience includes areas such as sensor fusion, navigation, object search/tracking, collision avoidance, multi-agent collaboration, and human-machine teaming
proven understanding of machine learning principles and have experience in applying machine learning techniques to real-world problems, showcasing a track record of successful implementations
Designed and implemented complex machine learning functions and architectures tailored to specific autonomous systems
Familiar with simulation environments and their role in training and testing machine learning models
Designed and conducted system evaluation activities for ML components to assess operational fit and readiness
Experience working with model experimentation software, such as MLFlow or Weights & Biases for rigorous model development and selection
Strong development experience and can design and implement software and systems resources for packaging and managing requirements for AI and ML prototypes
Frequently uses tools like Docker to manage software resources and pipeline orchestration
May have experience building applications in cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud Platform)
Strong written and verbal communication skills and can interact collaboratively and diplomatically with customers and colleagues
Grasp the big picture, direction, and goals of an effort while focusing great attention to detail
Can present complex ideas to people who may not have a deep understanding of the subject area
Can meet deadlines while multi-tasking–sometimes under pressure and with shifting priorities
Creative and curious, and inspired by the prospect of collaborating with premier members of the technical staff and other visionaries at Carnegie Mellon and other universities and organizations
Quickly learn new procedures, techniques, and approaches
Forward-looking and can connect research and engineering with practical challenges
Possess broad technical interests along with a deep knowledge of a particular field such as machine learning, autonomy and adaptive systems, or data analytics
Track record of synthesizing lessons learned from research or engineering activities for publication
Reputation for the highest level of research and engineering integrity
Demonstrated contributions and have published research, code (e.g., models, data, software applications), or technical perspectives
Familiar with technical challenges and emerging trends in computing and information science, and aware of opportunities in industry and government
Led technical projects and have experience collaborating across research teams and mentoring other researchers
Formulated and delivered successful research and engineering proposals to funding agencies and led the resulting projects
Worked with or familiar with Navy, Marine, Air Force, Army, Space Force, DARPA, IARPA, Service Labs, or other government research sponsors
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
Skills
Python
Docker
Azure
AWS
Google Cloud Platform
MLFlow
Weights & Biases
NVIDIA Isaac Sim
Benefits
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Retirement savings
Paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Transit pass
Fitness center
About the company
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:
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build real-world, mission-scale AI capabilities through solving practical engineering problems.
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discover and define the processes, practices, and tools to support operationalizing AI for robust, secure, scalable, and human-centered mission capabilities.
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prepare our customers to be ready for the unique challenges of adopting, deploying, using, and maintaining AI capabilities.
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identify and investigate emerging AI and AI-adjacent technologies that are rapidly transforming the technology landscape.
Are you creative, curious, and collaborative? Do you enjoy doing meaningful and complex work? Are you interested in making a difference by bringing innovation to government organizations and beyond? Apply to join our team today!
About the role
Position Summary:
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.
Responsibilities
Duties:
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Solution Development: You’ll work with and lead interdisciplinary teams to turn research results into prototype operational capabilities for government customers and stakeholders.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
Requirements
Requirements:
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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.
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This position is based onsite 5 days per week at SEI’s offices in either Pittsburgh, PA or Arlington, VA.
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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.
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You will be subject to a background investigation and must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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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 environments. You have addressed challenges related to marine, land, or space domains including sensor performance and collision meshes. Experience with physics-based simulators such as NVIDIA’s Issac Sim is required.
•
Robotics & Autonomy: You have a strong understanding of robotics principles and design techniques for air, sea, or land-based vehicles. You have experience applying machine learning within these domains and understand the related implications and challenges. Your experience includes areas such as sensor fusion, navigation, object search/tracking, collision avoidance, multi-agent collaboration, and human-machine teaming.
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Machine Learning: You have proven understanding of machine learning principles and have experience in applying machine learning techniques to real-world problems, showcasing a track record of successful implementations. You have designed and implemented complex machine learning functions and architectures tailored to specific autonomous systems. You are familiar with simulation environments and their role in training and testing machine learning models.
•
System Evaluation: You have designed and conducted system evaluation activities for ML components to assess operational fit and readiness. You have experience working with model experimentation software, such as MLFlow or Weights & Biases for rigorous model development and selection.
•
Applied Full-Stack Implementation: You have strong development experience and can design and implement software and systems resources for packaging and managing requirements for AI and ML prototypes. You frequently use tools like Docker to manage software resources and pipeline orchestration. You may have experience building applications in cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud Platform).
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Communication and Collaboration: You have strong written and verbal communication skills and can interact collaboratively and diplomatically with customers and colleagues. You grasp the big picture, direction, and goals of an effort while focusing great attention to detail. You can present complex ideas to people who may not have a deep understanding of the subject area.
•
Dedication: You can meet deadlines while multi-tasking–sometimes under pressure and with shifting priorities.
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Creativity and Innovation: You are creative and curious, and you are inspired by the prospect of collaborating with premier members of the technical staff and other visionaries at Carnegie Mellon and other universities and organizations. You quickly learn new procedures, techniques, and approaches. You are forward-looking and can connect research and engineering with practical challenges.
•
Knowledge and Learning: You possess broad technical interests along with a deep knowledge of a particular field such as machine learning, autonomy and adaptive systems, or data analytics.
Nice to have
Preferred Experience:
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Thought Leadership and Publications: You have a track record of synthesizing lessons learned from research or engineering activities for publication. You have a reputation for the highest level of research and engineering integrity. You have demonstrated contributions and have published research, code (e.g., models, data, software applications), or technical perspectives.
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Familiarity with Emerging Trends and Opportunities: You are familiar with technical challenges and emerging trends in computing and information science, and you are aware of opportunities in industry and government.
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Technical Leadership: You have led technical projects and have experience collaborating across research teams and mentoring other researchers.
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Proposals: You have formulated and delivered successful research and engineering proposals to funding agencies and led the resulting projects.
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Government Projects: You have worked or are familiar with Navy, Marine, Air Force, Army, Space Force, DARPA, IARPA, Service Labs, or other government research sponsors.
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.
Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.
At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Arlington, VA, Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Software/Applications Development/Engineering
Position Type
Staff – Regular
Full Time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
Salary
More Information:
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Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
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Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
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Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
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Statement of Assurance