The Machine Learning Engineer - Autonomy develops and deploys machine learning and autonomy capabilities for Heven AeroTech's uncrewed aircraft systems. The role focuses on practical UAS autonomy, including perception, tracking, sensor fusion, mission-level decision making, planning, and integration with flight-control, mission-system, onboard-compute, and payload interfaces. This engineer works closely with other engineering teams to take autonomy capabilities from development through simulation, integration, ground test, and flight test.

Responsibilities

Develop, integrate, and deploy machine learning and autonomy capabilities for uncrewed aircraft, with emphasis on reliable operation on real aircraft and onboard compute.
Develop mission-level autonomous behaviors using appropriate combinations of state machines, behavior trees, planners, optimization methods, deterministic logic, and machine learning.
Develop and integrate perception capabilities including object detection, classification, tracking, scene understanding, sensor fusion, and geospatial reasoning.
Integrate autonomy software with autopilots, companion computers, mission computers, sensors, payloads, data links, and GCS/C2 systems while maintaining clear interfaces with flight-control functions.
Develop production-quality C++ and Python software for real-time and near-real-time execution, including optimization for NVIDIA GPU and embedded edge-compute platforms.
Develop and use simulation, SIL, HIL, bench-test, and automated test environments to evaluate autonomy behavior and reduce risk prior to flight.
Support aircraft integration, ground test, and flight test of autonomy capabilities, including analysis of logs and test data to characterize performance and drive improvements.
Collaborate across Heven AeroTech with Machine Learning Engineers, Platform Engineers, Flight Test, avionics, electrical, mechanical, and other engineering teams.

Requirements

BA/BS degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
2-5 years of experience developing and deploying machine learning or autonomy software on robotic, autonomous, or UAS platforms.
Strong C++ and Python development skills, including Linux-based development and modern machine learning frameworks.
Working knowledge of perception, sensor integration, autonomous decision making or planning, and real-time system integration.
Professional working proficiency in English (spoken and written) is required to perform the responsibilities of this role.

Nice to have

Direct experience with UAS autonomy, aircraft integration, or flight test.
Experience with NVIDIA edge compute, CUDA/TensorRT, ROS 2, MAVLink, or comparable robotics and vehicle interfaces.
Aerospace or defense experience and eligibility to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.

Benefits

Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.