Autonomy Software Lead

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, a trailblazer in space robotics, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a sustainable presence in space, while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. We are seeking a talented, experienced Autonomy Engineer to define the future of lunar surface mobility in a fast-paced startup environment. 

As the Autonomy Software Lead, you will hold the ultimate responsibility for the overarching autonomy software system, ensuring its cohesiveness, effectiveness, and innovation. Your expertise in robotics, autonomy, and space exploration will be pivotal. Your leadership will drive the integration of these systems into a unified, state-of-the-art autonomous navigation system for our lunar rovers, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration. This senior role is for a visionary leader with significant experience in autonomy systems, ready to shape the future of lunar exploration. 

 Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead the development and integration of the autonomy software system for lunar rovers, ensuring a cohesive and innovative solution for autonomous navigation and operations. 
• Guide and support the R&D efforts of the Localization & Perception and Guidance & Planning engineers, fostering collaboration to achieve system-wide goals. 
• Oversee the design, development, and testing of advanced autonomy algorithms, sensor fusion techniques, and navigation systems tailored for lunar surface operations. 
• Ensure the autonomy software meets stringent requirements for space exploration, including reliability, safety, and performance in extreme environments. 
• Spearhead cross-disciplinary collaboration, working closely with mechanical, electrical, thermal, and systems engineering teams to integrate the autonomy software with rover hardware. 
• Drive the adoption of best practices in software development and system design, maintaining high standards of quality and innovation. 
• Stay abreast of advancements in robotics, autonomy, and space exploration technologies, leveraging new findings to enhance our lunar rover systems. 
• Mentor and develop a team of autonomy software engineers, building capabilities and expertise within the organization. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree or higher in Robotics, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineer, or related field
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in autonomous systems development, with a strong focus on robotics and autonomous vehicles 
• Proven leadership in managing complex engineering projects and interdisciplinary teams, driving them towards innovative solutions
• Deep expertise in programming languages used in robotics and autonomy (e.g., C , Python, ROS), along with a solid understanding of machine learning and AI applications in autonomous systems
• U.S. Person 

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• Ph.D. in a field relevant to robotics or autonomous systems, with research focused on applications in space explorations

• Track record of innovation in autonomy space systems, as demonstrated by patents, publications, or significant project achievements
• Experience with the end-to-end development and deployment of autonomy software systems in space exploration missions
• Experience with Human Rating standards and practices for autonomous systems
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts and collaborate across various engineering disciplines

Please note that the offer for this position will be contingent on Lunar Outpost Inc being awarded a contract pursuant to a federal Request for Proposal. The expected Award Date is March 29, 2024.

Lunar Outpost is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against protected characteristics (gender, age, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, disability, veteran status.) We want all employees (including executives and HR) to treat others with respect and professionalism.