AI Autonomy Engineering SME (UAS, SWARMING, C2, DRONES)

AI AUTONOMY ENGINEERING SME (UAS, SWARMING, C2, DRONES)

Transform technology into operational autonomy.

As an AI Autonomy Engineering SME at GDIT, you will shape the future of autonomous systems for mission‑critical Defense initiatives. Your work will directly support the Defense CTO’s autonomy and AI/ML modernization mission—advancing next‑generation unmanned systems, swarming behaviors, distributed decision‑making, and intelligent C2 architectures.

This role combines deep technical expertise, domain knowledge in UAS/drone operations, and leadership in delivering resilient, scalable autonomy solutions across DoD environments.

MEANINGFUL WORK AND IMPACTLead Autonomy Architecture & System Design

• Design, architect, and implement autonomy capabilities for UAS, drone swarms, robotic platforms, and C2 ecosystems.
• Develop real‑time decision‑making algorithms for navigation, sensor fusion, cooperative behaviors, target recognition, and mission execution.
• Engineer multi‑agent coordination frameworks enabling distributed tasking, decentralized control, and swarm intelligence.

Edge AI & Distributed Processing

• Design and deploy AI/ML models onto embedded edge processors, ruggedized compute payloads, and resource‑constrained autonomous platforms.
• Optimize models for real‑time inference, low-latency decision loops, and contested or degraded communication environments.

Simulation, Modeling & Autonomy Validation

• Build and manage large‑scale autonomy simulation environments (e.g., ROS/ROS2, Gazebo, AirSim, custom physics environments).
• Conduct modeling, simulation, and digital‑twin validation to assess behavior, safety, and mission effectiveness.
• Execute hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) and flight testing with UAS payloads and autonomy stacks.

C2 System Integration & Operational Workflows

• Integrate autonomous platforms with DoD C2 systems, tactical networks, and mission‑planning tools.
• Develop APIs and data interfaces supporting observability, command execution, and human‑machine teaming.
• Ensure autonomy behaviors align with CONOPS, TTPs, and operational constraints.

Security, Compliance & Survivability

• Apply DoD cybersecurity controls for autonomous systems, including secure comms, encrypted payloads, and AI model protection.
• Engineer autonomy solutions resilient to GPS denial, EW threats, adversarial conditions, and sensor degradation.

Leadership, Mentorship & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead and mentor a team of AI/ML, robotics, and software engineers.
• Collaborate with program leaders, operators, mission owners, and technical authorities.
• Communicate complex autonomy concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Innovation & R&D

• Evaluate emerging autonomy technologies (reinforcement learning, cooperative SLAM, onboard LLM agents, adaptive swarming behaviors).
• Drive rapid experimentation and prototyping to accelerate fieldable capability.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEEDEducation

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or similar STEM discipline (advanced degree preferred).

Experience

• 15+ years of engineering experience, including significant work in AI/ML, robotics, UAS autonomy, or multi‑agent systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing autonomy capabilities for unmanned or robotic platforms (Defense, commercial, aerospace, or research environments).

Technical Expertise

• Autonomy algorithms: motion planning, path optimization, obstacle avoidance, mapping/SLAM, swarming, multi‑agent coordination.
• AI/ML frameworks: PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, ONNX.
• Robotics frameworks: ROS/ROS2, MAVLink, PX4/ArduPilot, custom autonomy stacks.
• Simulation: Gazebo, AirSim, FlightGoggles, or equivalent.
• Edge compute: NVIDIA Jetson, VPUs, tactical compute nodes, embedded Linux.
• Distributed systems & C2 integration: data links, tactical protocols, mesh networks, publish/subscribe architectures.
• Software engineering: Python, C++, real‑time systems, containerization, DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines.
• Cloud/cluster orchestration: Kubernetes, Helm, GitLab CI, ArgoCD.
• IaC: Terraform, Pulumi, Ansible.
• AI/ML system security and DoD cybersecurity compliance.

Clearance Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Top Secret required with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain autonomy algorithms and pipelines—from sensor ingestion to real‑time decision‑making.
• Engineer resilient, scalable autonomy stacks for UAS fleets and multi‑vehicle teams.
• Oversee deployment, monitoring, tuning, and sustainment of autonomous platforms.
• Manage AI/ML model governance, versioning, and auditability.
• Integrate autonomy software with tactical systems, edge devices, and enterprise platforms.
• Lead vulnerability mitigation, patching, and survivability improvements.
• Provide SME guidance on best practices for DevSecOps, autonomy safety, and mission‑critical AI.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE
At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.
● Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
● Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
● Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
● Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace

OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY
Explore a career at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your sense of ownership and pride in the meaningful work we do.