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) at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).
The Unmanned Systems Integration Branch focuses on the development, integration, testing, and evaluation of unmanned systems for air/land/sea applications. 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 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

• Participate in all steps of the project life cycle, to include design concepts and preliminary designs, scheduling, specifications, cost estimates, construction and final detailed designs as it relates to unmanned systems.
• Generate documentation (i.e. system diagrams, bill of materials, wiring diagrams, etc.) that enable technicians to assemble system components and harnesses.
• Coordinate fabrication and assembly of unmanned systems and the purchase of required materials and components.
• Perform integration and configuration of controls, sensors and payloads into unmanned systems (includes developing software scripts to rapidly configure system hardware).
• 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.
• 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.
• Drive business development initiatives in the portfolio areas of Robotics and Autonomy.
• Oversee development, testing, and verification of complex robotic systems.

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 May 2025.
• Working knowledge of unmanned system design and implementation.
• Experience with common components and sensors found in unmanned systems (servos, motors, GPS receivers, IMUs, air data sensors, magnetometers).
• Understanding of electrical system design and implementation.
• Prior exposure to microcontrollers or Single Board Computers, e.g. Raspberry Pi.
• Familiarity with common Linux commands and operations.
• Basic understanding of C/C++ or Python programming languages.
• Some experience with software development and software debug techniques.
• Possess common lab skills: proper use of test & measuring equipment, soldering, connector crimping, safe operation of hand and power tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance.
• First-hand experience piloting full-scale (manned) aircraft or sUAS.
• Operational experience with autopilot and ground station software, e.g. ArduPilot and Mission Planner.
• Experience with the Nvidia Jetson embedded computing platform and Jetpack SDK.
• Capable of creating custom applications and shell scripts in a Linux environment.
• Experience with 3D-CAD tools and 3D printers.
• Experience with electrical board design tools (schematic capture and PCB layout).
• Ability to develop software device drivers and solve hardware/software interface challenges.
• Familiarity with software debug and programming tools, e.g. SWD/JTAG probes.

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

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

Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels (1,2,3,4).

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 University 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 University 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.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions.  This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. 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.