Autonomy Engineer II - Robotics

About the role

The Autonomy team develops advanced autonomous capabilities for our aerial platforms, enabling safe and intelligent mission execution from takeoff to landing. We are seeking an Autonomy Robotics Engineer to design, develop, and deploy navigation, planning, and decision-making systems that operate reliably in dynamic and uncertain environments. Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA. Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans. Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience with autonomous aircraft, UAVs, drones, or eVTOL systems.
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or similar autopilot frameworks.
• Experience developing autonomy for multicopters, VTOL aircraft, or fixed-wing platforms.
• Knowledge of state estimation, localization, SLAM, and sensor fusion techniques.
• Experience with trajectory optimization, model predictive control (MPC), or advanced planning algorithms.
• Experience with NVIDIA Jetson, embedded Linux systems, or edge computing platforms.
• Familiarity with Gazebo, Isaac Sim, AirSim, or other robotics simulation environments.
• Experience supporting flight testing and operational deployments.

Additional Information

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market. Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in 2026. Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us. The Autonomy team at Pivotal develops advanced autonomy capabilities for our aircraft, enabling safe, precise, and reliable mission execution from takeoff to landing. We are seeking a autonomy robotics Engineer to support the development of next-generation perception systems for our autonomous aerial platforms, including the Helix family of systems.

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