Autonomy and Intelligent Systems Development Team Leader

About the role

We are seeking a Team Leader (Section Supervisor) in the Embedded Applications (SIE) group to mentor and lead a team of software engineers working on both civil (NASA) and National Security Space missions.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to group technical strategy and management function - to include participation in hiring panels and assuring compliance with institutional policies.
• Serve as an AI/ML and expert systems domain authority and project technical leader for the team.
• Work closely with members of the section and group to support research, development and adaptation of AI/ML algorithms to build expert systems for autonomous spacecraft in the context of embedded systems.
• Work with technical experts across the Laboratory to research, design, develop, and advance autonomous and intelligent technologies and capabilities including fault protection, tasking, space networking, cyber-related algorithms, and system health monitoring.
• Review software processes and procedures, perform software quality reviews, proposal reviews, and overview of publications and presentations by staff.
• Define, design, and develop AI/ML and automated expert systems in the context of an embedded system.
• Recruit, train, and retain skilled and motivated software engineers while recognizing and promoting everyday staff achievements.
• Mentor, coach, encourage, and empower staff in a career development culture of continuous improvement.
• Cultivate an environment that promotes creativity, dedication to quality, and engagement.
• Share knowledge by collaborating with and mentoring APL staff, engaging with spacecraft engineers and participating in working groups.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent field.
• Have 5+ years of experience in algorithm development and analysis, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and controls software engineering.
• Possess strong analytical problem-solving skills and leadership characteristics, including the ability to visualize, select, and communicate system level solutions and technical direction.
• Possess expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms and methods including neural networks, symbolic regression, and ensemble methods.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, initiative, and follow-through.
• Exhibit the ability to lead and cultivate welcoming teams.
• Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills.

Qualifications

• Hold an M.S. or PhD. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related technical field (preferred).
• Have experience in spacecraft flight or ground software development (preferred).
• Have experience developing autonomous or artificially intelligent systems for flight software (preferred).
• Have experience in writing internal and external proposals in the area of autonomous systems (preferred).
• Demonstrate experience leading teams in development or research projects (preferred).
• Demonstrate success executing awarded proposals (preferred).
• Have published articles in autonomous systems or artificial intelligence (preferred).
• Demonstrate experience mentoring staff or interns (preferred).