Senior Autonomous Systems Engineer

Senior Autonomous Systems Engineer

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site's Cold War legacy. Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.

MSTS is seeking a Senior Autonomous Systems Engineer to design and deploy next-generation control systems that bridge industrial automation, embedded hardware and intelligent algorithms. This role goes beyond traditional controls combining hands-on system development with modern approaches to sensing, data and adaptive optimization. You will work across the full stack, from selecting hardware and programming controllers to integrating AI/ML techniques that enable closed-loop performance improvements. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable at the bench and in code, thrives in multidisciplinary environments and is motivated to build systems that operate reliably in complex real-world conditions.

Located in Santa Barbara, California, the Special Technologies Laboratory is a key satellite location within the NNSS and is responsive to NNSA nuclear security mission requirements and broader national security objectives. At STL "problem solving is in the DNA," using a diverse team of experts composed of scientists, engineers, technicians, facilities specialists, academic collaborators, and professional support staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and build end-to-end control systems integrating PLCs, embedded platforms, sensors and actuators for real-world applications.
• Develop and implement control logic and firmware across industrial and embedded environments, from low-level interfaces to supervisory control.
• Translate systems goals into close-loop solutions, combining sensing, signal processing and control strategies to achieve reliable performance.
• Partner with AI/ML specialists to optimize system behavior, enable adaptive control and detect anomalies.
• Prototype, test and refine systems in the lab and field, troubleshooting across hardware and software boundaries to ensure robust operation.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) required for Civil, Mechanical and Electrical engineering degrees
• Or, Calculus-based STEM bachelor's degree in engineering
• Or, for Architects, Certification from the National Council or Architectural Registration Board (NCARB)
• Or Professional Engineer license
• Plus at least 5 years' relevant experience. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge; graduate research experience may be recognized.
• Demonstrated desire to learn and innovate.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming and/or embedded firmware development (e.g. C/C++, Python)
• Demonstrated ability to architect and debug complex systems spanning sensors, actuators, and control logic
• Should be self-motivated and able to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ideally, the applicant will have strong time-management skills. Be well organized, maintain safe work habits and have a broad range of technical interests and education.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write reports and technical documents.
• The primary work location will be at the Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) located in Santa Barbara, CA.
• Work schedule for this position will be negotiated with the supervisor; employees can work 5-8, 9-80, or 4-10 work-weeks.
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, "Personnel Security". If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Annual salary range for this position is: $101,524.80 - $152,297.60.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.