Senior AI & Autonomy Engineer (UAV Systems)

Role Overview We are seeking a Senior AI Engineer to lead the development of advanced autonomy and terminal engagement capabilities for high-performance UAV systems. You will architect the brains of the platform, focusing on vision-based navigation and high-precision terminal guidance in contested, GNSS-denied environments. This role requires a system-first mindset: designing real-time intelligence that functions in complex, degraded environments where reliability is non-negotiable. You will work at the deep intersection of PX4, ROS 2, and custom Computer Vision pipelines to ensure mission success from launch to impact. Key Responsibilities Terminal Guidance & Optimal Control: Design and implement Advanced Proportional Navigation and augmented guidance laws. Develop logic to compensate for dynamic targets, vehicle bank-to-turn constraints, and time-to-go estimation. Mission Phase Transitions: Architect the state machine for transitioning from mid-course cruise (utilizing Terrain-Referenced Navigation or VIO) to terminal seeker mode. Implement robust Line-of-Sight (LOS) rate estimation using filtered vision data. Long-Endurance Navigation: Develop GNSS-denied solutions using low-drift Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO) and Global Pose Graph Optimization to minimize drift over long-range profiles (300km+). PX4 & ROS 2 Integration: Lead the communication architecture using micro-XRCE-DDS. Develop ROS 2 nodes to command PX4 in Offboard Mode, translating guidance commands into high-frequency attitude and thrust setpoints. Scene-Based Localization: Optimize feature-matching and classical image-correlation pipelines for absolute position updates, feeding corrections directly into the PX4 EKF. Robust Perception & Target Acquisition: Lead the strategy for detection and classification under environmental shift (low light, haze, and seasonal changes), ensuring the system can lock onto targets in degraded conditions. High-Rate Control Loops: Optimize the Vision-to-Actuator pipeline to minimize latency, ensuring stable guidance during high-dynamic maneuvers. SITL/HITL Validation: Use Gazebo/Ignition to simulate high-dynamic terminal intercepts and validate miss-distance requirements. Required Skills & Qualifications Experience: 5–10 years in AI/ML or Aerospace GNC; specific experience in Precision Guided Munitions (PGM) or autonomous loitering munitions is highly preferred. Guidance & Control: Expert understanding of Kinematic Guidance, PRONAV (APN/IPN), and closing the loop between a vision-based Seeker and flight control surfaces. PX4/ROS 2 Mastery: Deep experience with the PX4 architectural stack, MAVLink, and ROS 2 (Foxy/Humble). Proven ability to modify PX4 firmware or EKF parameters for external vision integration. Mathematics: Strong foundation in Optimal Estimation (Kalman Filters), Coordinate Transformations (ECEF/NED/Body), and 6-DOF flight dynamics. Software: Expert C++17/20 and Python. Experience with SIMD optimization (Neon/AVX) for running vision-based guidance at 30Hz+ on the edge. State Estimation: Experience fusing VIO, IMU, and Altitudinal data to maintain a stable state estimate during high-G terminal maneuvers. Hardware: Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson (Orin/Xavier) and interfacing with gimbled or fixed-mount camera systems. Key Competencies Strong system-level thinking across perception, AI, and control Ability to translate research into deployable, real-time systems Leadership in ambiguous, high-stakes engineering environments Deep problem-solving capability under constraints Ownership mindset with focus on performance and reliability Personal Attributes Self-starter with a strong sense of initiative Collaborative team player who enjoys working in a dynamic environment Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously Passion for drones and unmanned aerial technology Working Conditions This is a full-time position based in Bangalore that may require occasional evening or weekend work May require travel to customer sites or other company locations Salary And Benefits Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications Health insurance Paid time off and holidays Opportunities for professional development and growth