Full time, fixed term for 12 months, with strong potential for multi-year extension subject to performance and continued project funding
Based at the Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR), University of Sydney
Base Salary $131,108 - $147,858 + 17% superannuation
About the opportunity
The Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR) has been instrumental in developing breakthrough technologies, conducting world‐renowned research and developing field robotics principles and systems. We are currently seeking to hire a Senior Engineer Lead to take primary technical responsibility for the design, build, integration, and field deployment of software systems for ground robots operating in extreme field environments. Working under the broad direction of the Chief Investigator, you will design and maintain the core software framework, autonomy framework, and data pipelines for ruggedised autonomous platforms intended for sustained operation in rugged outdoor terrain across multiple application domains.
This is a senior individual contributor role. You will work autonomously on the software scope of the platform, with technical assurance provided by the Senior Software Technical Lead at defined design reviews, and with close collaboration alongside the Mechatronics Engineers and Postdoctoral Research Fellows whose autonomy research integrates with the framework you build. The appointment is offered initially for 12 months. The programme is funded across multiple years and there is strong potential for extension subject to performance and continued funding.
Key Responsibilities
* Act as the primary software designer for the platform, ensuring software is robust, efficient, reliable and fit for purpose in field robotics applications.
* Design and develop the core software framework, including middleware, sensor drivers, communications stack and platform control software.
* Design and maintain the autonomy framework into which research outputs are integrated.
* Design and operate data pipelines for capture, transmission, storage and handover of field‐collected research data.
* Lead the writing of portable, reliable and maintainable source code in C++ and Python, targeted for ROS2 and Linux, conforming to a style guide and with unit tests.
* Objectively assess the quality and validity of results in selected scenarios, and identify issues requiring further investigation.
* Prepare, conduct and support tests of robots in the field, including in‐field debugging.
* Collaborate closely with Mechatronics Engineers on the software–mechatronics interface.
* Support the Project Manager in planning, risk management, field trials and reporting.
* Occasionally travel to rural areas and/or interstate to support fieldwork.
Qualifications
* Tertiary qualifications in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent training and experience.
* Strong programming experience in C++ and Python with at least 3 years' experience in robotics or autonomous systems contexts.
* Proficiency in robotics middleware, particularly ROS2 (or equivalent), including node design, lifecycle management and tooling.
* Experience with Linux systems and embedded systems.
* Knowledge of object‐oriented design, multithreaded and multiprocess applications and software architecture for robotics platforms.
* Experience integrating research code from collaborating researchers or end‐users into a stable platform software framework.
* Experience designing and operating data pipelines for autonomous platforms in field conditions.
* Ability to work autonomously under broad direction within a research and development environment.
* Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams alongside mechatronics, autonomy research and other research domains.
* Experience with sensor fusion, point cloud or image processing, path planning or machine learning applied to robotics (desirable).
* Field deployment experience and in‐field debugging on autonomous platforms (desirable).
Desired Skills and Experience
* Tertiary qualifications in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent training and experience.
Sponsorship / Work Rights for Australia
You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.
Pre‐Employment Checks and Declarations
Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre‐employment or background checks required for the role. You will also be required to declare if you have been investigated for or found to have engaged in sexual harm or gender‐based violence. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including termination of your employment.
EEO Statement
At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence. We strive to be a place where everyone can thrive and are committed to diversity and inclusion, reflected in our people and culture programmes and strategies to support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer.
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