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

The GTRI Robotics and Autonomous Systems Division is looking for Scientists and Engineers specializing in robotic algorithm development specializing in dynamical systems control. You will be joining a growing robotics division primarily focused on the development of real-time algorithms for robotics applications, including but not limited to multi-robot collaboration, swarming, path planning, navigation, world-modeling, and task allocation for aerial and surface robots.

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

• Develop methods and perform research tasks to meet project objectives including directing others.
• Architect overall signal processing procedures with system integration in mind.
• Lead or contribute to the development of whitepapers and proposals to support a research area.
• Support sponsors and potential sponsors engagement.
• Primary author of sections technical reports/presentations of projects, journal articles, and conference presentations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop real-time algorithms for robotics applications, including multi-robot collaboration, swarming, path planning, guidance, navigation, and/or task allocation on robots in one or more domains (air, ground, or sea).
• Perform rapid simulation development, prototyping, and field-testing. Generate research reports, publication, proposals, and briefs to our customers. Experience with C++, Python, ROS, Linux, and/or robotic simulation engines like Gazebo and SCRIMMAGE.
• Develop and tune controllers for various systems in software suites like ArduPilot and ArduRover.
• Develop and tune filters for state estimation and sensor fusion.
• Analyze experimental robotic system logs to determine system performance and develop solutions to undesirable performance characteristics.
• Develop tool to characterize and tune controller performance in the field.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with implementing state-of-the-art algorithms, controllers, and filters on real-world mobile robot systems, including field test experimentation or robotic competitions.
• Experience with C++, Python, ROS, Linux, and/or robotic simulation engines like Gazebo and SCRIMMAGE.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance.
• A strong history of publication or hardware-implementation of advanced algorithms demonstrating the ability to perform independent research is desired.
• Experience with fast prototyping in MATLAB and/or Python as well as transitioning and deploying these algorithms into C++ for real-time operation on a robot in real-world environments.
• Experience in one or more of the following is desirable:
  • Multi-robot teams
  • Path planning and navigation
  • Behavior-based robotics
  • Optimal control and estimation
  • Machine learning for robotic control.

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

• 9 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or any related field with a focus on Dynamics and Control.
• 7 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or any related field with a focus on Dynamics and Control.
• 4 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or any related field with a focus on Dynamics and Control.

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.