Senior Robotics & Autonomy Engineer

About the role

At GE Aerospace Research’s Robotics & Autonomy Lab, we advance the future of flight through breakthroughs in robotic manufacturing automation and vehicle/mission autonomy. We develop technologies to enable high‑mix low‑volume work cells that operate independently and alongside human teammates without bespoke retooling. We also create autonomous solutions for uncrewed and reduced‑crew vehicles spanning sensing, localization, navigation, mission planning, and execution. As a Senior Robotics & Autonomy Engineer, you will invent, prototype, and mature embodied AI and autonomy from TRL 1‑6, transitioning capabilities into GE Aerospace programs and products. You will partner with senior leadership across the enterprise to shape roadmaps, lead multidisciplinary teams, originate and propose new projects, and collaborate with external partners in academia, industry, and government agencies. Your research will enable adaptive systems that operate in the physical world within defined safety envelopes, unlocking high‑mix low‑volume manufacturing automation capabilities applicable to diverse tasks without requiring bespoke hardware and software development, and mission autonomy across a wide range of applications from detection and localization of cargo for pickup to complex detect‑and‑avoid systems to prevent near‑miss conditions when unresponsive or uncooperative objects enter controlled airspace.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams in delivering autonomy solutions for manufacturing and vehicle/mission autonomy.
• Invent, prototype, and mature embodied AI and autonomy from TRL 2–6, spanning robotic cell design, sensing and perception, controls and planning, and behavior or policy learning.
• Build high-quality, scalable software using modern tools and practices, creating reusable autonomy and robotics components.
• Collaborate with GE Aerospace programs and product teams to align research with business needs and transition technologies beyond GE Aerospace Research.
• Shape the autonomy strategy by working with other Autonomous Systems experts across GE Aerospace and external partners.
• Communicate research outcomes via publications, internal reviews, and demos; represent the lab to customers, collaborators, and leadership.
• Create and protect intellectual property through invention disclosures and patents.
• Grow as a technical and thought leader, positioning for future roles such as Principal Scientist or technical manager.

Requirements

• PhD with 5+ years, MS with 7+ years, BS with 10+ years in Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related field focused on robotic or vehicle autonomy.
• 4+ years of commercial or industrial experience, preferably applying autonomy or robotics to real-world systems.
• Strong rapid prototyping skills for robust, efficient, scalable software.
• Strong grounding in robotics theory (e.g., kinematics, dynamics, control, planning, perception) and interest in applying it to real-time physical AI systems.
• Willing to travel at least 2 weeks per year for collaboration, testing, and reviews.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Willing to relocate to work out of an office located in Niskayuna, NY.

Skills

• PhD in Robotics, Mechatronics, or Autonomous Systems, especially embodied AI or uncrewed aerial systems.
• Expertise in at least one area: vehicle autonomy, mission autonomy, high‑mix robot autonomy, robotic manufacturing automation, human‑machine teaming, or human‑robot interaction.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for edge or real‑time systems.
• Experience with the Robot Operating System (ROS).
• Experience winning or executing externally funded research, including proposals and collaboration with agencies such as DARPA, ARL, AFRL, or ONR.
• Postdoctoral or industrial experience inventing and advancing new autonomous systems technologies.
• Strong track record of peer‑reviewed publications in autonomy, robotics, or related application domains.
• Visible impact in the technical community, e.g., open‑source contributions or a strong GitHub portfolio.
• Hands‑on experience with industrial robotic arms or high‑mix robotic workcells.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits and programs to support health, physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing (including HealthAhead).
• Healthcare benefits: medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace; Employee Assistance Program (24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services).
• Retirement benefits: GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, plus access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants.
• Other benefits: tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time‑off for vacation or illness.
• Relocation Assistance Prov