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.   

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

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).

The Unmanned Systems Integration Branch focuses on the development, integration, testing, and evaluation of unmanned systems across multiple domains. Systems engineering expertise is applied to sensors, platforms, and embedded systems, with a focus on Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) as well as systems in other domains (e.g. ground, sea). Program areas include sUAS, Counter UAS systems, and Autonomy Algorithms. Typically, the Unmanned Systems Integration Branch integrates hardware into low cost commercially available surrogate platforms for demonstration purposes. Primary sponsors are from the US military research and development community.

The Systems Integration branch chief is expected to prepare and manage branch budgets, oversee expenditures, recruit qualified personnel, and maintain personnel proficiency, training, and qualification. They are responsible for managing relations with all autonomous systems stakeholders including support for interactions with external sponsors. Program development and program management is required to develop and manage programs in the aforementioned technical areas including performance evaluation and testing. The responsibilities of the branch chief include development of junior research faculty into project leaders, conducting performance appraisals, actively developing sponsor relationships, and executing research programs. This position is expected to consume approximately 30%-50% time. The remaining time is anticipated to come from sponsored research. The branch is located in Smyrna, GA on the Georgia Tech Cobb County Research Facility (CCRF). Travel is required in conducting GTRI research, developing business, meeting with customers and demonstrating applied solutions.

Job Purpose

Lead multiple sponsored research projects. Manage Branch (7-15 FTE) administrative activities including hiring, appraisals and sponsored project success.

This Branch Head position comes with a Technical Working Title of Software Engineer. 

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in all steps of the project life cycle, to include design concepts and preliminary designs, scheduling, specifications, cost estimates, drawings, construction and final detailed designs as it relates to unmanned systems.
• Facilitate generation of documentation (i.e. system diagrams, build of materials, wiring diagrams, etc) that will allow technicians to assemble system components and harnesses.
• Coordinate fabrication and assembly of unmanned systems and the purchase of required materials and components.
• Coordinate integration and configuration of controls, sensors and payloads in unmanned systems.
• Use creative hardware and software solutions to overcome system integration challenges.
• Lead development and execution of test plans to validate proper system functionality.
• Lead debugging of electrical, mechanical and software issues across a range of components and interfaces using standard lab test equipment and software.
• Coordinate the set up and conducting of experiments; prepare progress and test reports.
• Follow designs into the field and participate in field testing; analyze test data; diagnose system misbehaviors and devise solutions.
• 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.
• Reporting and administration
  • Monthly reporting to the Division Chief on status of sponsored programs that branch staff are tasked to. May require coordination/syncing with other branches.
  • Monthly reporting on business development (BD) efforts taking place within the branch (or in concert with other branches/labs).
  • Actively track staffing of direct reports and staffing availability.
  • Timesheet monitoring (e.g. signing, correcting, and editing as needed)
• Engagement
  • Hold branch meetings with assigned research faculty (at least biweekly)
  • Level and Rank promotion tracking monitoring each branch staff to know where they sit within the band of being eligible for level or rank promotion and updating relevant inputs for lab leadership when called upon.
  • Meet with assigned branch research faculty/staff at least 6 times per year (not including annual performance appraisal), 30-60 minutes.
  • Assess skillsets of branch staff, identifying areas of technical and professional growth and providing avenues for that growth (or communicating needs to division leadership).
  • Coordinate with Division Chief on relationship(s) within sHRp and the lab HRC.
  • Manage hiring of new research faculty/staff
  • Work with sHRp recruiting staff to generate PVAs and vet candidates.
  • Set up hiring committees and establish a standard interview process including a 1st level technical interview and a 2nd level interview.
  • Addressing impromptu employee concerns (e.g. salary and level promotion).
  • Participate in leadership coaching/training when made available.
• Recognition
  • Proactively generate opportunities to recognize outstanding performance by direct reports (e.g. bi-monthly submission of Star Performance Appraisal nominations to the Division Chief).
  • Tracking employees' years of service, highlighting them when applicable.
  • Annual tracking of employees' eligibility for Level and Rank Promotion.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Working knowledge of unmanned system design and implementation.
• Understanding of electrical system design and implementation.
• Prior exposure to microcontrollers or Single Board Computers, e.g. Raspberry Pi.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance.
• Familiarity with developing and leading sponsored programs and managing sponsor relationships.
• Familiarity with the Nvidia Jetson embedded computing platform and Jetpack SDK.
• Experience with 3D-CAD tools and 3D printers.
• Experience with common components and sensors found in unmanned systems (servos, motors, GPS receivers, IMUs, air data sensors, magnetometers).

Travel Requirements

• 10% - 25% travel.

Education and Length of Experience

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will 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

• 5-9 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or any related field.
• 3-7 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or any related field.
• 0-4 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or any related field.

Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

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: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual’s race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.