Robotics Research Engineer

Robotics Research Engineer

Company: North Carolina State University

Job Location:

Category: Laboratory and Research

Type: Full-Time

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Location: Raleigh, NC

Essential Job Duties:

Robotics Research Engineer - AERIS Lab

The Autonomous Experimental Robotics and Intelligent Systems (AERIS) Lab in the Department of Computer Science at NC State University is hiring a Robotics Research Engineer - the lab's first dedicated engineering hire. Check out the AERIS lab here.

AERIS develops robust, intelligent unmanned systems (UXS) and sensor systems. The lab designs, builds, and field-tests multicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and other small UAS, robot, and sensor platforms. Facilities include a brand new indoor flight arena with motion capture, and access to Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory - a 1,500-acre FAA-approved research site with RTK GPS and a dedicated UAS deployment trailer. The AERIS lab supports multiple graduate and undergraduate students.

Autonomous unmanned systems are advancing rapidly, and much of what is possible today was out of reach five years ago. This role puts you at that frontier - translating new research in autonomy, perception, and planning into systems that operate in real environments and do things that haven't been done before.

As the lab's first Robotics Research Engineer, you will help define how research concepts become working hardware and software - from embedded firmware through ROS2 autonomy stacks through field deployment at sponsor demonstration sites. You will also build the engineering infrastructure (tools, processes, equipment management) that the lab runs on. This is a role with unusual breadth: PCB layout one week, flight testing at Lake Wheeler the next, debugging a perception pipeline the week after. The right candidate is as comfortable with a soldering iron and a logic analyzer as they are reading a robotics research paper.

The primary job duties include the following:

Research Engineering & Development (70%)

• Design, build, integrate, and test UAS platforms and sensor systems for research projects
• Develop and maintain software in ROS/ROS2 for autonomous navigation, perception, and control
• Implement embedded systems for real-time sensing, actuation, and communication
• Support flight testing at indoor and outdoor facilities, including field deployments at Lake Wheeler and sponsor demonstration sites
• Collaborate with students to translate research algorithms into working implementations.

Lab Operations & Equipment Management (20%)

• Maintain and manage lab equipment inventory, including drones, sensors, 3D printers, laser scanners, and fabrication tools
• Oversee the lab truck and coordinate field deployment logistics
• Ensure equipment readiness and safety compliance for indoor and outdoor flight operations
• Manage procurement of parts, components, and supplies
• Maintain software infrastructure (simulators, configuration management, data repositories)

Technical Collaboration (10%)

• Work alongside graduate and undergraduate researchers on hardware/software integration.
• Contribute technical expertise to research discussions and problem-solving.
• Opportunity to contribute to publications and proposals as interest and time allows.

This position is contingent upon funding.

Other Work/Responsibilities:

• Occasional travel for field testing at remote sites and sponsor demonstrations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Experience/Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a related field. An equivalent combination of training with demonstrated experience in robotics systems development may also be considered.
• Or a Master's degree in one of the above fields

Required Qualifications:

• Proficiency with ROS or ROS2
• Programming experience in Python and C/C++
• Experience with embedded systems and microcontrollers
• Familiarity with Linux development environments
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (or ability to obtain within 6 months)

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a related field, with demonstrated experience in robotics systems development.
• Experience with PCB design and fabrication
• Experience with flight controller firmware (PX4, ArduPilot)
• Experience with real-time systems
• Hands-on experience building, flying, and maintaining UAS platforms
• Experience with motion capture systems (Vicon or similar)
• Experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping

Required License or Certification:

• Needs drivers license to drive lab truck to Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory as needed.
• FAA Part 107 certification required (or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire).