Director of Autonomous Vehicle Navigation

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About the role

• We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Engineering Team Lead to head our Navigation team. The ideal candidate possesses a strong product mindset focused on maximizing customer value, coupled with deep expertise in linear algebra, computational mathematics, state estimation, and GNSS/INS systems. You will lead a team of 5-10 engineers in developing advanced navigation software and hardware solutions in a fast-paced startup environment.

What you'll do

• Team Leadership:
• • Lead, mentor, and manage a team of 5-10 engineers.
  • Foster a collaborative and results-driven team culture.
  • Promote professional growth and technical excellence within the team.
• Product Development:
• • Drive the development of navigation software and hardware with a customer-centric approach.
  • Engage with the team at the point of action and be willing to roll up your sleeves to do what it takes to deliver outcomes.
  • Ensure timely delivery of high-quality products that meet customer needs. *
• Technical Expertise:
• • Apply deep knowledge of linear algebra, computational mathematics, state estimation, and GNSS/INS systems to solve complex navigation challenges.
  • Oversee the safety critical implementation of navigation solutions across various vehicle platforms.
  • Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to keep our products at the cutting edge.
• Cross-functional Collaboration:
• • Work closely with product management, customer support, and other engineering teams to align on goals and deliverables.
  • Translate customer feedback into actionable product improvements.
  • Participate in strategic planning to align team objectives with company goals.

What we're looking for

• Mission-First Mindset - We put the needs of the mission and our customers first and understand that the US and its allies have no preordained right to victory in any future conflict.
• Ownership Mentality - We’re looking for owners; those who have a natural bias to assume responsibility, a healthy dose of skepticism, and contribute to a culture of performance.
• Technical Aptitude and Intellectual Curiosity - We are first and foremost a technology company, working at the leading edge of capabilities like machine learning, autonomy, distributed networking, and multi-modal sensor fusion.
• Structured Thinker and Problem Solver - Leading technical programs requires clear communication and well-thought-out plans. A solution-driven approach, the ability to distill complexity into its essential, digestible components, and the ability to supervise execution are critical to ensure mission success.
• 360 Degree Leader - We are a non-hierarchical organization with a matrix structure that is dynamic and evolving. We expect you to be self-aware enough to recognize your position of unstated leadership within the company. You should have a demonstrated ability to lead and influence people through both formal and informal constructs and in situations where there is lack of clarity across teams

Qualifications

• Technical Skills:
• • Strong background in linear algebra, computational mathematics, state estimation techniques, and 2 GNSS/INS systems.
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, and/or MATLAB.
  • Experience with sensor integration and data fusion algorithms.
• Soft Skills:
• • Exceptional problem-solving abilities and a results-driven mindset.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing navigation systems for a variety of vehicles, including large trucks and small skid steer vehicles.
• Familiarity with industry-standard navigation software and hardware tools.
• Previous experience in customer-facing roles or product development.
• Knowledge of compliance, safety standards, safety critical development in autonomous vehicle technology.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in autonomous vehicle navigation or a related field.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams of 5-10 people.
• Hands-on experience in developing navigation software and hardware solutions.

US Salary Range
 $220,000—$250,000
 

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance, Legal & ID protection plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. 
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.  

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.