NIST PREP Robotics Programmer

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration. Research Title: Robotics Programmer The work will entail: NIST is focused on the development and integration of robotic software architectures, leveraging ROS2, Java, C#, and C++ to build scalable control frameworks. The work will involve designing robust system interfaces and implementing PLC programming to bridge high-level logic with physical hardware, ensuring seamless interoperability and performance across diverse robotic platforms. Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Develop, integrate, and maintain scalable robotic software architectures using ROS 2, C++, Java, and C# in collaboration with NIST researchers. Implement Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming and design system interfaces to bridge high-level autonomous logic with industrial physical hardware and sensors. Build robust device drivers, communication protocols, and APIs to ensure seamless software interoperability and execution across diverse robotic platforms. Conduct hands-on system testing, debugging, and performance optimization on real physical hardware and simulated environments to ensure reliable operation. Document codebase architectures, write system user guides, and present regular project progress updates to team members and project leads. Qualifications US Citizens preferred. Education: Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related field. Hands-on experience developing software applications within the ROS 2 ecosystem. Understanding of robotic nodes, topics, services, actions, and custom message types. Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Java. Proficiency or working experience with C# and Python. Experience with PLC programming (e.g., Ladder Logic, Structured Text, or Function Block Diagrams) for industrial automation. Experience interfacing high-level controllers with industrial hardware (e.g., actuators, relays, safety systems, fieldbus protocols). Proficient with version control systems and workflows (e.g., Git, GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket). Experience working in Linux/Unix (Ubuntu) environments as well as Windows. Solid grounding in object-oriented programming (OOP), software testing, and debugging strategies. Privacy Act Statement Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c) Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty. PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program. Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates. Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law. PREP0005093 Southeastern Universities Research Association