Overview: The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.
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Project/Unit Description A full-time research faculty position exists in the Unmanned Systems Integration Branch of the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Division (RASD) within the Aerospace, Transportation, and Advanced Systems Laboratory (ATAS) at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).
The Unmanned Systems Integration Branch focuses on the development, integration, testing, and evaluation of airborne unmanned systems. Systems engineering expertise is applied to sensors, platforms, and embedded systems, with a focus on Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). Program areas include sUAS, Counter UAS systems, and Autonomy Algorithms. Typically, the Unmanned Systems Integration Branch integrates sensors, autopilots, and mission processors into low cost commercially available surrogate platforms for demonstration purposes. Primary sponsors are from the US military research and development community.
Job Purpose A robotics engineer develops the hardware and/or software that enables electro-mechanical systems to perform a series of tasks with little or no human involvement. The robotics engineer can develop the mechanical mechanisms that form the robot, integrate sensors such as cameras and LIDAR systems into the system, or develop the algorithms to allow the robot or autonomous system to sense its environment, plan its actions, and then execute the plan. This position contributes to the fundamental and applied understanding of robotic and autonomous systems. The robotics researcher develops the advanced autonomous planning, coordination, perception and control algorithms that enable a mobile robot or team of robots to operate in dynamic environments. The engineer can also interface with perceptual, actuation, communication and other systems to enable the robot to sense, plan actions, coordinate actions according to mission plans and execute the plans. This position may incorporate a fundamental understanding of robotic control and path planning as well as an applied understanding of robotics systems.
Key Responsibilities - Perform basic signal processing with supervisor direction.
- Document work in written and presentation form.
- Contribute to algorithm application discussions.
- Contribute to technical reports/presentations of projects, journal articles, and conference presentations.
Additional Responsibilities - Integrate and configure unmanned systems, including autopilots, mission computers, sensors, flight control surfaces, and payloads.
- Work closely with GTRI's customers and co-performers at technical interchange meetings, integration events, and test events.
- Coordinate fabrication and assembly of unmanned systems and the purchase of required materials and components.
- Participate in all steps of the unmanned systems design life cycle including producing design concepts and preliminary designs, scheduling, generating specifications, creating cost estimates, etc.
- Generate technical documentation (i.e. system diagrams, build of materials, wiring diagrams, etc.) that will allow technicians to assemble system components and harnesses.
- Use creative hardware and software solutions to overcome system integration challenges.
- Develop and execute test plans to validate proper system functionality.
- Debug electrical, mechanical and software issues across a range of components and interfaces using standard lab test equipment and software.
- Set up and conduct experiments; prepare progress and test reports.
- Follow designs into the field and participate in field testing; analyze flight data; diagnose system misbehaviors and devise solutions.
- Serve as a Ground Station Operator during flight test operations.
- Present complex technical material in reports, manuals, white papers and presentations, in a clear and concise manner.
- Collaborate with engineers of other disciplines to develop best-in-class solutions.
Required Minimum Qualifications - Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered. The candidate must have a graduation date of no later than August 2026.
- Understanding of electrical systems integration.
- Familiarity with basic Linux commands and operations.
- Basic understanding of C/C++ or Python programming languages.
- Possess common lab skills: soldering, connector crimping, safe operation of hand and power tools.
- Ability to travel 30-40% to test events where the unmanned vehicles you integrate will be tested.
Preferred Qualifications - Active Secret Clearance.
- Working knowledge of unmanned systems integration.
- Experience with Pixhawk autopilots and ground control station software (e.g. Mission Planner, QGroundControl, etc...).
- Experience with common components and sensors in unmanned systems (servos, motors, GPS receivers, IMUs, air data sensors, magnetometers, etc...).
- Experience with the Nvidia Jetson embedded computing platforms and Jetpack SDK.
- Experience creating custom applications and shell scripts in a Linux environment.
- Experience with 3D-CAD tools and 3D printers.
- Experience with electrical PCB design tools (schematic capture and PCB layout).
Travel Requirements Education and Length of Experience This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement.The final job offerwill be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook
- 0-5 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree inRobotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
- 0-3 years of related experience with a Masters' degree inRobotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
- 0 years of related experience with a Ph.D. inRobotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels.
U.S. Citizenship Requirements Clearance Type Required Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.
Benefits at GTRI Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link:
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