Draper Logo

Draper

Senior Software Autonomy Engineer

Reposted 3 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
In-Office
Cambridge, MA, USA
82K-245K Annually
Senior level
In-Office
Cambridge, MA, USA
82K-245K Annually
Senior level
The Senior Software Autonomy Engineer will design, develop, and evaluate autonomous behaviors for heterogeneous teams of vehicles, focusing on cutting-edge defense systems.
The summary above was generated by AI

Overview:

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled Autonomy Engineer to design and develop autonomous behaviors for multi-domain heterogeneous teams of autonomous vehicles. The Senior Autonomy Engineer will work on cutting-edge defense systems that is fielded by the US Government and commercial customers in aerial, ground, underwater, and space domains. The preferred candidate has expert knowledge in the following areas;
• Task and motion planning
• Software integration and testing with robotics platforms
• Hybrid methods that augment deterministic autonomy algorithms with AI-based approaches
• Optimization and resource allocation for large team of teams
• C/C++, ROS/ROS2

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities
• Evaluates requirements, proposes solutions, explores design trades to support a design.
• Designs algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques.
• Develops embedded software based on prototype algorithms.
• Analyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
• Develops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements.
• Evaluates results to establish problem causes and develop solutions for inefficient or problems.
• Prepares technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.
• Communicates with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables.
• Tracks priorities, scope, schedule, and cost.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Skills/Abilities
• Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C/C++.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of Autonomy and GNC algorithms and technology.
• Knowledge of real-time software development tools
• Knowledge of project execution, designing, developing, and validating real-time algorithms and software.
• Familiarity with trajectory optimization, optimal control, and similar techniques.
• Significant knowledge in the design and analysis of control systems.
• Significant knowledge of design and implementation of trajectory design/optimization algorithms including optimal control techniques.
• Strong project execution and teamwork skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to clearly communicate work assignments to team members.
Education
• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is required.

• Masters or PhD in a related field is preferred.
Experience
5-10 years of Software Engineering or related experience is required.

Additional Job Description:

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. Secret clearance is preferred.

Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.

Job Location - City:

Cambridge

Job Location - State:

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:

02139-3563

The US base salary range for this full-time position is

$82,300.00 - $245,000.00

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.  Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [email protected].

HQ

Draper Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Office

555 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, United States, 02139

Similar Jobs

14 Days Ago
Easy Apply
In-Office
Woburn, MA, USA
Easy Apply
134K-184K Annually
Senior level
134K-184K Annually
Senior level
Machine Learning • Security • Software • Analytics • Defense
Designs, develops, integrates, tests, and demonstrates autonomy algorithms and software for unmanned platforms and mission systems. Provides technical leadership and mentoring across the software lifecycle, develops backend-focused algorithmic applications, supports system and system-of-systems architecture, and collaborates with research scientists to transition mathematical concepts into production software. Work includes mission planning, automated control, DevSecOps, CI/CD, code quality, Agile execution, and team leadership.
Top Skills: Agentic AiAgileC++Ci/CdConfluenceConstraint Satisfaction AlgorithmsContainerizationDevsecopsGitlabJavaJIRAKnowledge Representation And OntologiesMavlinkObject-Oriented ProgrammingPythonReinforcement LearningRosService-Based ArchitecturesStatic AnalysisTakTest-Driven Development
16 Days Ago
Remote or Hybrid
United States
Senior level
Senior level
Automotive • Big Data • Information Technology • Robotics • Software • Transportation • Manufacturing
Develop autonomy evaluation metrics, statistical and machine-learning analyses, dashboards, and pipelines for simulation and on-road autonomous vehicle testing. Analyze perception, prediction, and planning performance; identify anomalous behavior and critical scenarios; apply VLMs and LLMs where appropriate; and support release gating and safety decisions. The role requires production Python, C++ debugging, technical leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and rigorous software engineering practices.
Top Skills: C++Computational GeometryLarge Language ModelsLinear AlgebraMachine LearningNumpyPandasPythonPyTorchRosScipySQLStatistical ModelingTime-Series AnalysisVision-Language Models
21 Days Ago
In-Office
Boston, MA, USA
160K-240K Annually
Senior level
160K-240K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Develop and deploy autonomy software for unmanned surface, underwater, and aerial vehicles in maritime missions. Responsibilities include motion planning, localization and tracking, safety assurance, COLREGS adherence, multi-agent coordination, distributed optimization, rigorous software testing, platform integration, deployment support, mission-log analysis, and autonomy R&D. The role also involves cross-functional collaboration, customer and demonstration support, roadmap development, and mentoring junior engineers. Travel is typically approximately 25% annually.
Top Skills: AfsimC++Control SystemsDistributed Decision-MakingMachine LearningMotion PlanningNgtsOptimizationPythonReinforcement LearningRoboticsSensor FusionSwarm Robotics

What you need to know about the Boston Tech Scene

Boston is a powerhouse for technology innovation thanks to world-class research universities like MIT and Harvard and a robust pipeline of venture capital investment. Host to the first telephone call and one of the first general-purpose computers ever put into use, Boston is now a hub for biotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence — though it’s also home to several B2B software giants. So it’s no surprise that the city consistently ranks among the greatest startup ecosystems in the world.

Key Facts About Boston Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 269,000; 9.4% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toast, Klaviyo, HubSpot, DraftKings
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, software, aerospace
  • Funding Landscape: $15.7 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Summit Partners, Volition Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, MassVentures, Highland Capital Partners
  • Research Centers and Universities: MIT, Harvard University, Boston College, Tufts University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, National Bureau of Economic Research, Broad Institute, Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account