Autonomy Software Engineer (Autonomous Vehicle)

Job Description

About Ocean Aero:

Ocean Aero is an award-winning US company that has created the world’s first and only environmentally powered Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicle (AUSV). Ocean Aero’s autonomous marine robot, the Triton, operates exclusively on wind and solar energy and performs long endurance missions on the ocean surface with the ability to dive below the waves for underwater operations. The Triton uses a complex array of custom-built sensors, marinized electronics and software systems to operate, sense and communicate in the environment.

Ocean Aero has a collaborative culture with plenty of opportunities for growth and ownership, and comprehensive benefits.

Role Description:

The Autonomy Software Engineer will be responsible for the design, development, and programming the Triton’s autonomy stack, including mission execution, behavior trees, and task planning. The Autonomy Software Engineer will create robust, modular autonomy architecture, as well as integrate sensor data and world data feeds. The Autonomy Software Engineer will develop logic and behavior and help design and implement internal tools, including lightweight simulators or test environments. The Autonomy Software Engineer will work closely with the system integrator and hardware team and use autonomy roadmaps and determine tools, libraries, and infrastructure needed for scaling the autonomy stack. This role will report to the Software Engineer Lead.

Role Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and program the vehicle’s autonomy stack, including mission execution, behavior trees, and task planning
• Create robust, modular autonomy architecture that supports behavior layering, goal switching, contingency handling, and future upgradeability
• Integrate sensor data (e.g., GPS, IMU, sonar, vision, etc.) to support situational awareness and autonomy decisions
• Integrate world data feeds (Weather, AIS, Forecasts, etc.) to support mission planning and objectives
• Develop logic and behavior that allows the system to intelligently navigate, plan missions, and react to dynamic marine environments
• Help design and implement internal tools, including lightweight simulators or test environments, for development and testing of autonomous behaviors
• Work closely with the system integrator and hardware team to ensure software autonomy aligns with the platform’s operational capabilities
• Utilize autonomy roadmaps and determine tools, libraries, and infrastructure needed for scaling the autonomy stack

Role Requirements:

• B.S. from an accredited university, such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics or Physics
• Demonstrated 8 to 10 years’ experience in software development/engineering
• Strong experience in autonomous robotics, especially with real-world deployment (marine, ground, aerial, or space)
• Deep understanding of robot autonomy architectures, behavior trees, finite state machines, mission planning, and decision layers.
• Proficiency in ROS (Robot Operating System), especially ROS 2, or similar middleware frameworks
• Comfortable developing in Python and C++ in a Linux environment
• Experience with autonomy development without full simulation stacks - you know how to make progress even with limited digital twins
• Familiarity with sensor fusion, SLAM, waypoint navigation, or related robotic autonomy techniques.
• A practical mindset and a collaborative spirit - comfortable diving into ambiguous problems and building structure from the ground up
• Broad technical experience with full-stack software systems and architectures
• Experience with a wide range of programming languages and technologies including but not limited to; PHP & Laravel, MySQL, JavaScript, Python and C
• Experience with Linux-based operating system and the command-line
• Excellent cross-department communication skills
• Ability to think independently about creative solutions to design problems
• Team player, with excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Ability to travel occasionally, as needed
• US Citizenship required
• Maintain a valid driver license and personal vehicle insurance
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
• Possess a valid Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC) or successfully pass the requirements to obtain one
• Successfully pass drug test, background check, and motor vehicle screening

Role Preferences:

• Experience with marine robotics, AUVs, ROVs, UUVs, or USVs
• Experience developing autonomy for constrained or communication-limited environments
• Knowledge of Gazebo, Webots, or custom simulation environments
• Background in AI/ML-based behavior modeling for robotics (not required, but nice to have)
• Ability to work in a constantly changing environment and have a proven ability to manage concurrent activities effectively