Guidance Navigation and Controls (GNC) Engineer I - Project Based

This is a project-based employee role supporting the development, integration, and validation of ASI's autonomous compactor platforms. Development phases of this nature typically continue through project completion, often spanning two to four years, although scope and duration are determined by business and customer needs.

JOB SUMMARY

The Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Engineer I supports the development, integration, and testing of algorithms that enable ASI's autonomous compactors to navigate work areas, follow planned paths, maintain stable vehicle control, and complete compaction tasks safely and accurately. This role works with vehicle dynamics, localization, state estimation, path tracking, trajectory planning, and control systems to support autonomous operation in construction environments.

As a Level I engineer within ASI's five-level engineering structure, this position completes defined engineering assignments under the guidance of more experienced engineers. The role provides practical experience in robotics, control systems, autonomous vehicle software, simulation, and heavy-equipment testing while contributing to the Compactor Team's development and validation goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the development, implementation, and testing of guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for autonomous compactor applications
• Assist with vehicle motion-control capabilities involving steering, propulsion, braking, speed control, path tracking, and trajectory following
• Support the development and tuning of feedback-control algorithms under the direction of experienced engineers
• Assist with localization and state-estimation solutions using GPS/GNSS, inertial sensors, encoders, vehicle feedback, and other system data
• Develop and maintain software components, scripts, simulations, and engineering tools for assigned GNC functions
• Support navigation and path-planning capabilities that allow autonomous compactors to move efficiently through defined work areas
• Assist with compaction-related behaviors such as route coverage, pass planning, overlap management, and work-area completion
• Integrate assigned GNC software components into ASI's autonomous compactor platforms and embedded control systems
• Evaluate assigned features using simulation, recorded-data replay, software-in-the-loop testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and vehicle field testing
• Collect and analyze vehicle logs to evaluate path accuracy, tracking error, controller response, localization performance, and system behavior
• Assist with controller tuning on physical equipment under varying terrain, speed, and operating conditions
• Develop basic tools for data visualization, automated testing, simulation, controller analysis, and performance reporting
• Troubleshoot defined control, localization, software, sensor, and system-integration issues with support from experienced engineers
• Collaborate with perception engineers to integrate terrain, obstacle, and environmental information into navigation and control behavior
• Work with embedded software engineers to integrate GNC algorithms with vehicle controllers, communication interfaces, and real-time systems
• Support test engineers and field testers in developing procedures, reproducing issues, and validating corrective actions
• Participate in code reviews, design discussions, sprint planning, technical training, and team development activities
• Document software changes, algorithms, models, test results, technical findings, and known system limitations
• Support field testing, customer demonstrations, and deployment activities as required
• Follow established software-development, safety, quality, and configuration-management practices

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, JOB SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• Zero to two years of professional experience in controls, navigation, robotics, vehicle dynamics, autonomous systems, or software engineering
• Academic, internship, research, or project experience developing software in C++, Python, MATLAB, Simulink, or similar tools
• Basic understanding of feedback control, PID control, system dynamics, stability, or vehicle-control principles
• Familiarity with localization, navigation, path planning, trajectory generation, or state-estimation concepts
• Basic understanding of coordinate systems, transformations, vehicle kinematics, and sensor data
• Familiarity with Linux-based software-development environments
• Basic understanding of version-control systems such as Git
• Ability to analyze technical data and communicate findings clearly
• Strong mathematical, analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to follow established engineering processes
• Ability to receive technical direction and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Internship, research, capstone, or personal-project experience involving robotics, autonomous vehicles, controls, or mobile systems
• Familiarity with ROS, ROS2, or similar robotics middleware
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C++, Gazebo, or comparable simulation and development tools
• Exposure to PID tuning, model-based design, system identification, or vehicle-dynamics modeling
• Familiarity with Kalman filters, extended Kalman filters, or other state-estimation methods
• Experience working with GPS/GNSS, RTK positioning, IMUs, encoders, odometry, or related sensors
• Exposure to embedded controllers, vehicle-control units, CAN communication, or drive-by-wire systems
• Experience with software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, simulation, or recorded-data replay testing
• Familiarity with construction equipment, compactors, heavy machinery, or off-road vehicles
• Interest in soil compaction, route coverage, construction automation, or autonomous heavy equipment
• Experience testing software or robotic systems in outdoor or field environments

BENEFITS

ASI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 401k with employer match
• Generous HSA contribution
• PTO, paid holidays, and flextime
• ASI covers 90% of employee medical plan costs

At Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI), we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees and applicants have equal opportunities. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic. ASI complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding nondiscrimination in employment and is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process.

This is a full-time, project-based employment opportunity. Your employment with ASI will be "at will," meaning that either you or ASI may terminate your employment at any time for any lawful reason, with or without cause or advance notice.