Software Engineer - Planning (Sampling / Search)

About the role

As a Path Planning engineer at Applied, your role is pivotal. Your work will involve developing, integrating, and testing core path planning capabilities that span all classes of aerial platforms (Group 1-5). You'll work closely with teams across the entire company to integrate core GNC algorithms into their software and product stacks, supporting applications in both commercial and defense spaces. The challenge is profound, and the rewards are immeasurable, as you build superior systems that empower our military with unrivaled capabilities.

At Applied, you will:

• Write software that operates real autonomous aircraft systems including fighter aircraft, maritime surface vessels, group 1-5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as simulated models to accomplish tactical military missions
• Build, leverage, and improve aerial autonomy software architectures that are ultimately tested and deployed on real systems to accomplish military missions
• Collaborate with DoD warfighter domain experts and 3rd party UAS vehicle vendors to develop and integrate aerial autonomy software onto OEM hardware

We're looking for someone who has:

• 3-5 years of professional experience in autonomous vehicle motion planning, robotics, or a related field.
• Experience in 3D+ path planning using sampling based methods such as RRT* or similar.
• Experience in 2/2.5D grid based planning methods such as A* or similar.
• Experience developing autonomy algorithms in either C++ or Python
• Experience developing or implementing outer-loop control systems
• Strong functional, procedural, data-oriented, and object-oriented programming experience
• Experience using git, Visual Studio Code, GitLab

Travel Requirements:

• Must be willing to travel as projects requires; estimated average travel is once every other month for between 2 days up to 1 week (~20%)

Security Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance

For more information about U.S. security clearances: click here.

Nice to have:

• Experience with UAS GNC/navigation systems such as PX4 and Ardupilot
• Ability to use data visualization and debugging tools to support autonomy control development
• Experience developing in Docker and containerized development environments, using Linux-based operating systems (e.g., RHEL, Ubuntu), source control systems, and artifact registries

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Please reference the job posting’s subtitle for where this position will be located. For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full-time position in the location listed is: $150,000 - $190,000 USD annually.