{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"4deb63340a33af47d25d2be3","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/4deb63340a33af47d25d2be3","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/4deb63340a33af47d25d2be3","title":"Autonomy Engineer (UAV)","description":"We are seeking a Robotics & Autonomy Engineer to develop, integrate, and maintain autonomy capabilities on UAV platforms built around the PX4 and ArduPilot stacks. This is a full-time role on our engineering team, working across a range of client projects — so the day-to-day emphasizes hands-on integration, debugging, and real-world flight validation more than ground-up design ownership. You'll work across the full UAV stack, from embedded flight software and state estimation through mission logic and system integration, with a strong focus on reliability and practical field performance.\n\nThis position suits someone who enjoys both software development and hands-on hardware work, and who's comfortable owning problems across shifting project contexts. The ideal candidate brings solid robotics and autonomy fundamentals — estimation, controls, and coordinate frames — and is eager to grow deep expertise in the PX4 autopilot stack, including VIO, map matching, and GPS-denied navigation.\n\nMUST HAVE PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN US\n\nResponsibilities\nDevelop and modify PX4 or ArduPilot firmware to support new autonomy features and system capabilities\nImplement mission logic, flight behaviors, and MAVLink integrations\nIntegrate sensors, cameras, radios, and payloads into UAV platforms\nTune and analyze estimation and control performance (EKF/Kalman filtering, PID loops) across platforms\nConduct flight testing and validate autonomous behaviors in real-world conditions\nAnalyze flight logs and telemetry to diagnose and resolve issues\nDebug problems across the UAV stack including firmware, networking, hardware, and companion computers\nCollaborate with engineers to design robust UAV architectures and workflows\nDocument system behavior, debugging results, and design decisions\nRequired Qualifications\nStrong robotics/autonomy fundamentals: coordinate frame transformations, state estimation (Kalman filtering / sensor fusion), and PID control analysis\nStrong C++ or C programming skills\nExperience with PX4 or ArduPilot — or demonstrated ability to ramp quickly on a complex embedded autopilot codebase\nExperience flying and testing UAV or robotic platforms\nFamiliarity with MAVLink, flight logs, and autopilot configuration\nExperience debugging complex software and hardware interactions\nAbility to work independently and take ownership of engineering tasks across multiple projects\nStrong problem-solving skills and practical engineering judgment\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with ROS/ROS 2 and Nav2\nExperience with visual-inertial odometry (VIO), map matching, or GPS-denied navigation\nExperience building or configuring drones from components\nFamiliarity with companion computers (Linux), MAVSDK, or ROS\nExperience integrating sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, or GPS systems\nExperience with embedded systems or hardware debugging\nExperience analyzing flight logs and tuning flight controllers\nPersonal robotics, UAV, or embedded systems projects\nWhat We Value\nEngineers who build and experiment outside of work\nStrong ownership and accountability for outcomes\nPractical, hands-on problem solving\nClear communication and collaboration within small teams\nCuriosity and continuous learning","company":"Ascend Engineering","rawCompany":"ascend engineering","city":"Chicago","state":"IL","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-04-12T18:16:45.944Z","occupations":[{"code":"15-1252.00","title":"Software Developers","slug":"software-developers"},{"code":"15-1299.08","title":"Computer Systems Engineers/Architects","slug":"computer-systems-engineers-architects"},{"code":"17-2199.08","title":"Robotics Engineers","slug":"robotics-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"},{"code":"336411","title":"Aircraft Manufacturing","slug":"aircraft-manufacturing"},{"code":"541511","title":"Custom Computer Programming Services","slug":"custom-computer-programming-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Autonomy Engineer (UAV)","description":"We are seeking a Robotics & Autonomy Engineer to develop, integrate, and maintain autonomy capabilities on UAV platforms built around the PX4 and ArduPilot stacks. This is a full-time role on our engineering team, working across a range of client projects — so the day-to-day emphasizes hands-on integration, debugging, and real-world flight validation more than ground-up design ownership. You'll work across the full UAV stack, from embedded flight software and state estimation through mission logic and system integration, with a strong focus on reliability and practical field performance.\n\nThis position suits someone who enjoys both software development and hands-on hardware work, and who's comfortable owning problems across shifting project contexts. The ideal candidate brings solid robotics and autonomy fundamentals — estimation, controls, and coordinate frames — and is eager to grow deep expertise in the PX4 autopilot stack, including VIO, map matching, and GPS-denied navigation.\n\nMUST HAVE PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN US\n\nResponsibilities\nDevelop and modify PX4 or ArduPilot firmware to support new autonomy features and system capabilities\nImplement mission logic, flight behaviors, and MAVLink integrations\nIntegrate sensors, cameras, radios, and payloads into UAV platforms\nTune and analyze estimation and control performance (EKF/Kalman filtering, PID loops) across platforms\nConduct flight testing and validate autonomous behaviors in real-world conditions\nAnalyze flight logs and telemetry to diagnose and resolve issues\nDebug problems across the UAV stack including firmware, networking, hardware, and companion computers\nCollaborate with engineers to design robust UAV architectures and workflows\nDocument system behavior, debugging results, and design decisions\nRequired Qualifications\nStrong robotics/autonomy fundamentals: coordinate frame transformations, state estimation (Kalman filtering / sensor fusion), and PID control analysis\nStrong C++ or C programming skills\nExperience with PX4 or ArduPilot — or demonstrated ability to ramp quickly on a complex embedded autopilot codebase\nExperience flying and testing UAV or robotic platforms\nFamiliarity with MAVLink, flight logs, and autopilot configuration\nExperience debugging complex software and hardware interactions\nAbility to work independently and take ownership of engineering tasks across multiple projects\nStrong problem-solving skills and practical engineering judgment\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with ROS/ROS 2 and Nav2\nExperience with visual-inertial odometry (VIO), map matching, or GPS-denied navigation\nExperience building or configuring drones from components\nFamiliarity with companion computers (Linux), MAVSDK, or ROS\nExperience integrating sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, or GPS systems\nExperience with embedded systems or hardware debugging\nExperience analyzing flight logs and tuning flight controllers\nPersonal robotics, UAV, or embedded systems projects\nWhat We Value\nEngineers who build and experiment outside of work\nStrong ownership and accountability for outcomes\nPractical, hands-on problem solving\nClear communication and collaboration within small teams\nCuriosity and continuous learning","datePosted":"2026-04-12T18:16:45.944Z","dateModified":"2026-04-12T18:16:45.944Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Ascend Engineering","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Chicago","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"4deb63340a33af47d25d2be3"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/4deb63340a33af47d25d2be3"}}