Job Description
The Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics (CMAR) at Virginia Tech is seeking a Research Scientist to support the development and operation of advanced marine robotic systems. The successful candidate will be a hands-on engineer responsible for designing, developing, integrating, testing, and deploying electrical and software systems for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and other marine robotic platforms.
The position will involve work across multiple levels of the system, including embedded electronics and firmware, power and communications systems, sensors and actuators, onboard computing, robotic software, and system-level integration. The Research Scientist will work closely with faculty, research staff, graduate students, industry partners, and government sponsors to develop and demonstrate new capabilities for marine robotic systems.
The successful candidate will contribute to sponsored research projects from initial design and development through laboratory testing, field deployment, and demonstration. Responsibilities will also include technical documentation, research reporting, proposal development, and dissemination of research results through technical presentations and scholarly publications.
This position requires eligibility to access and handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), which requires U.S. citizenship. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a closely related engineering discipline,or bachelor’s with + 5 years post-bachelor’s experience.
- Experience designing, developing, and testing, robotic systems for marine environments (or similarly challenging environments), including:
- Development, integration, and testing of software.
- Development, integration, and testing of electrical subsystems.
- Integration of embedded systems, microcontrollers, and onboard computers.
- Hardware, software, and electrical systems integration.
- Field deployment, operation, and testing.
- Experience with relevant technologies in the context of robotic systems for marine environments (or similarly challenging environments), including:
- C++, Python, MATLAB, or other relevant programming languages.
- Ubuntu or similar Linux distributions.
- ROS, ROS2, or comparable robotics software frameworks.
- Git or comparable version control software.
- Serial communications, Ethernet, CAN, or other communication protocols commonly used in robotic systems.
- Motor controllers, actuators, sensors, power electronics, battery systems, and communications systems commonly used in robotic systems.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary engineering and research teams.
- US Citizen.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience designing printed circuit boards and electronic systems.
- Experience developing embedded firmware for microcontrollers.
- Experience designing unmanned underwater vehicles
- Experience planning and executing field deployments of unmanned underwater vehicles
- Experience with robotic perception, planning, control, localization, or other autonomous system capabilities.
- Record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications.
- Experience working on federally sponsored research projects or collaborating with industry or government research partners.
- Experience mentoring graduate or undergraduate student researchers.
- Strong communication skills.
Pay Band
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Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$90,000-$120,000, Commensurate with Experience
Hours per week
40
Review Date
November 11, 2026 - open until filled.
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Cole Tankersley at cpt19@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
