Asst Robotics & Automation Engineering Project Manager

Position Title:

Asst Robotics & Automation Engineering Project Manager

Position Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hiring Range:

$83,500 - $98,200, commensurate with experience.

Pay Frequency:

Annual

A) POSITION PURPOSE

This position provides technical expertise and engineering in support of the Robotic Systems Laboratory (RSL) in the School of Engineering. This Research Associate will perform critical tasks that are part of Dr. Kitts’ externally-funded research program to include the engineering development of advanced robotic systems, technology and capabilities. The position will include research into advanced robotic control and perception technologies, supporting computing and algorithmic approaches to implementing these systems, and the development tools and techniques appropriate for such work. The Research Associate will apply this work to the experimental development of functional robotic systems which will include tasks such as modeling, analysis, simulation, programming, manufacturing and experimentation. The Research Associate will also participate in interactions with external sponsors and collaborators, document and present designs and findings, etc.

B) ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist with the program management of lab and external grants/contract and related engineering activities that involve advanced robotic system development.

Assist with engaging stakeholders and sponsors to identify needs, collaboratively develop systems/capabilities, solicit feedback on work, and so on programs.

Manage and participate in the preparation of program documentation, meetings and site visits, presentations, reports, deliverables, reviews and scholarly works.

Collaborate with Dr. Kitts and other faculty/staff in developing tutorials, teaching materials and laboratory equipment to sustain and enhance the teaching of associated robotic technologies

Assists the RSL Director with lab/facility management duties to include management of RSL laboratory spaces, equipment, training and safety protocols, processes, students, reporting, etc.

Supports advanced engineering work in the development of advanced robotic systems, components and capabilities, which may include any of the following:

Supports development of distributed embedded systems for on-board robotic/device control, to include associated software development, hardware design, peripheral/component integration, etc.

Develops pilot/operator/supervisor control systems and software for remote robotic systems that operation on/in land/sea/air/space, and capable of functions such as real time control scripting, health/anomaly management, command planning, resource management, etc.

Assists with performing R&D activities relating to RSL research areas, such as multi-robot control, cobot design and human interaction, anomaly management, advance robotic system development, etc.

Research, learn, and prototype new techniques in as applicable in the areas of control, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, vision and perception systems, SLAM, object identification and classification, object/people/gesture recognition, etc.

Research, learn, and prototype the use of development tools and technologies appropriate for robotic and perception systems, to include ROS, computational accelerators, TensorFlow and other AI tools, etc.

Apply techniques, tools, and technologies in the iterative design and development of functional robotic components and systems.

Experimentally verify and characterize the performance of robotic and perception components and systems

Document designs and findings using available documentation, project development and version control systems.

Other duties as assigned.

PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

May supervise and/or mentor several student assistants.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services

Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.

Maintains contact with customers and solicits feedback for improved services.

Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.

Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow

Prepares program reports; informs supervisor of project status; and deviation from goals.  Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions

Prepares and submits report as requested and required

Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the unit

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an