Machine Learning Engineer - Autonomy

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.
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.
• If this role requires access to information controlled under U.S. export control laws (ITAR/EAR), applicants must also qualify as a "U.S. person" under 22 CFR §120.62 (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual such as an asylee or refugee).

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.