Autonomy Engineer II

SkyGrid, a Boeing, Avathon Company, exists to open the sky for autonomous flight. Based in Austin, Texas, SkyGrid builds ground based high-assurance third-party services to enable the safe operations and airspace integration of highly automated and autonomous aircraft. SkyGrid also acts as a key operational nexus for advanced air mobility, integrating and managing data, infrastructure, access, and traffic to support seamless and efficient air traffic services. 

Join SkyGrid and be at the forefront of revolutionizing airspace automation! We're looking for an innovative Autonomy Engineer to help us design and implement groundbreaking solutions that will shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Air Traffic Management (ATM). In this role, you'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology, refining SkyGrid's autonomy architecture to create real-time decision-making systems, advanced conflict detection and resolution (CD&R), and adaptive mission planning for complex airspace environments. If you're passionate about pushing the boundaries of autonomy and airspace innovation, this is your chance to make a real impact! 

Performance Objectives :

• Utilize product design requirements and operational use-cases to develop functional architecture and preliminary algorithm. 
• Progress service to Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 2 (conceptual development) and TRL Level 3 (prototype). 
• Conduct unit and integration testing (TRL 4 / 5) and document a minimum viable product version of the service. 
• Enhance the service capability and work with software engineers to transition service to high fidelity production environments (TRL 6/7). 
• Update concepts, use cases, and engineering artifacts based on technology maturation. 

Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end development of autonomous air traffic management functions,from concept to prototype. 
• Collaborate with the Product team and systems engineers to define functional and performance requirements for autonomy-based functions. 
• Collaborate with software engineers to design and develop integration interfaces within the overarching product codebase. 
• Specify and execute Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing to validate autonomy functions and generate relevant test result artifacts. 
• Drive innovation by brainstorming and developing novel autonomy solutions, contributing to research and development efforts in autonomous airspace management. 
• Foster collaboration by engaging with external organizations, research institutions, and industry partners, as well as supporting technical publications and conference contributions. 
 

Qualifications:

• B.S.  in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, STEM. 
• Demonstrated work experience in algorithm development or R&D for autonomous systems. 
• Minimum of 3 years of autonomy engineering experience, with a strong focus on concept-to-prototype development. 
• Programming Languages: Python, C/C++ 
• Familiarity with R&D of algorithms and functions that enable autonomous systems. 
• Development, integration, and testing in SIL simulation environment. 
• Highly motivated, solution-oriented individual with a strong analytical mindset, who can: 
• Define the problem statement. 
• Conduct state of the art analysis. 
• Analyze problems that are not clearly defined. 
• Identify possible solutions. 
• Adapt solution scope to fit timelines. 
• Experience in air traffic management research and development. 
• Experience with mathematical formulation of vehicle kinematics/dynamics, route planning, optimization, conflict detection and resolution algorithms. 
• Familiarity with AI/ML, robotics, or autonomous systems. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. or Ph.D in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, STEM. 
• Familiarity with aviation and air traffic management operations. 
• Experience in R&D and functional development in one or more of the following areas: 
• Transportation networks 
• Tactical or strategic conflict detection and resolution for air vehicles. 
• Flight Planning. 
• Machine Learning. 
• Resource optimization. 
• Advanced Air Mobility. 
• Bayesian or probabilistic modeling. 

Join Our Team and Enjoy Exceptional Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage from Day One: Enjoy immediate access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, including HSA and FSA options. 
• Generous Retirement Contributions: Benefit from an automatic company 401k contribution program, with no match required, plus an additional company matching program to boost your retirement savings. 
• Calm Annual Membership: Prioritize your mental health with complimentary access to mindfulness and meditation resources. 
• Discounted ClassPass Membership: Stay active and healthy with access to thousands of fitness studios and gyms nationwide. 
• Investment in Your Growth: Receive an annual stipend for learning and development to support your continuous education and skill development 
• Engaging Team Activities: Participate in quarterly team-building events and celebrations organized by our dedicated culture committee. 
• Fully Stocked Kitchen: Enjoy a variety of snacks and beverages to keep you fueled throughout the day. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 
  
An employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, if it does not pose undue hardship.