Research Engineer - Autonomous Systems - Aerospace Research

Job Description Summary
At GE Aerospace Research, our researchers work on the advancement of new Autonomous Systems technology to solve industrial problems for the Future of Flight. This work covers both fundamental and applied exploration, ultimately looking to provide a real path forward for sustainable air travel for the world, to advance the frontiers of beyond-atmosphere travel, and to continue to support the country's needs in national security.

As a Research Engineer, you will design, experiment, analyze, improve, and apply new Autonomous Systems technology. The focus of this technology is two-fold: 1) the automation of independent action for manufacturing systems (including robots operating independently and in coordination with human workers), and 2) the development of increasingly autonomous sensing, navigation, and mission planning for uncrewed and reduced-crew vehicles and their subsystems. On the manufacturing side, this work emphasizes the development of high-mix capabilities that can be applied to a wide variety of tasks, parts, and product lines without requiring bespoke hardware and software development. On the vehicle and mission systems side, this work emphasizes the development of new approaches to customer-needed capabilities (like detection and localization of cargo for pickup) as well as common modules that can be applied across a wide variety of applications (like detect-and-avoid systems to prevent midair near-miss conditions when unresponsive or uncooperative items enter active airspace). This work will involve supporting an increasing corporate investment in fundamental and applied research in Embodied Artificial Intelligence, where GE Aerospace looks to lead the sector in adaptive, continuously-learning systems that participate actively in the physical world.

Along the way, you will investigate concepts from their fundamentals (theoretical and empirical) to their prototype, and transition those technologies for use in new solutions that change the world. This will involve contributing to projects with GE Aerospace business units and a wide array of fellow researchers across disciplines and domains. It will also include the opportunity to work on government-sponsored, cutting-edge research programs with GE Aerospace's external partners in academia and government. You will help drive the future of Autonomous Systems research at GE Aerospace and advance human scientific understanding among the broader global community.

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities:

• Work with other researchers on new and continuing projects
• Develop hardware/software solutions that improve autonomy capabilities for manufacturing and/or vehicle solutions, ultimately impacting the product and service offerings of GE Aerospace as well as its internal tools and practices via technologies transitioned beyond GE Aerospace Research; this can involve work ranging from mechanical robotic system design to rapid prototyping/fabrication, electrical system integration to controls algorithm implementation, sensing model development to behavior or action learning system creation
• Implement and analyze prototypes and solutions for real-world problems
• Employ software libraries, tools, and practices to implement efficient, scalable, and reusable solutions
• Publish novel findings in scientific workshops, conferences, and journals
• Create intellectual property by writing invention disclosures and filing patents
• Develop in technical and leadership skills in preparation for future work as a Lead Engineer

Qualifications/Requirements:

• MS + 2 years experience or PhD in Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related fields with a focus on technologies that can be embodied in robotic or limited-crew vehicle deployment solutions
• Strong CAD skills (design for 3D printing, design for manufacturing)
• Rapid prototyping experience (experience with 3D printing, failing fast, fit-and-finish/design assembly)
• Sensor/motor integration skills (soldering, understanding data sheets, sensor calibration, system debugging)
• Microcontroller experience (ability to write first-pass code to verify system operation)
• Familiarity with C/C++, Python and ROS2 environments
• Experience developing and operating system integration and test setups, including hardware integration, sensor mounting, data acquisition, and system validation.
• Candidate must be willing to travel a minimum of 2 weeks per year
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.
• Willing to relocate to work out of an office located in Niskayuna, NY

Ideal Candidate Characteristics:

• Ph.D. focusing on new advancements in Robotics, Mechatronics, and/or Autonomous Systems (including Uncrewed Aerial Systems in particular)
• Deep expertise in one or more of: Vehicle Autonomy, Mission Autonomy, High-Mix Robot Autonomy, Human-Machine Teaming, Human-Robot Interaction Design
• Robotic Arm operation experience (particularly FANUC)
• Expert experience in Solidworks and NX
• Practice in design for small scale/small space access
• Strong experience with circuits/sensor integration
• Demonstrated capability to produce high-quality technical documentation
• Experience in helping to write grant proposals and participating in the execution of grant-supported research
• Ability to obtain Secret (or higher) US Government clearance
• Post-doctoral or industrial experience inventing and developing new Autonomous Systems technologies
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences in Autonomous Systems-related topics and/or relevant application fields
• Contribution to public domain codebases and/or significant GitHub portfolio to demonstrate mastery and impact

The base pay range for this position is 80,000 - 150,000 USD Annually. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate's experience, education, and skill set. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on a percentage of your base salary. This posting is expected to close on January 10, 2026

Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.

General Electric Company, Ropcor, Inc., their successors, and in some cases their affiliates, each sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs (i.e., is a "Sponsor"). Each Sponsor reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a Sponsor's welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.

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This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Additional Information

GE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes