Engineer II, Autonomous Systems - Missouri Institute for Defense & Energy

The Missouri Institute for Defense & Energy (MIDE) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

The Missouri Institute for Defense & Energy (MIDE) conducts applied research and development in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and advanced engineering. MIDE works with university researchers and external partners to translate emerging technologies into reliable, deployable capabilities.

The Engineer II - Autonomous Systems will support the development, integration, and testing of software for autonomous drone navigation and mission execution. The position will build software pipelines and platform interfaces that connect flight systems, sensors, edge-computing hardware, mission-planning tools, and external services through APIs. A major focus will be ensuring reliable network communication, secure data exchange, and interoperability across software and hardware platforms. The employee will work with faculty, engineers, researchers, and project partners to move software from prototype development through laboratory and field testing.

Job Roles:

• Develop, test, and maintain software modules in Python/C++, or related languages for autonomous navigation, mission planning, and mission execution.
• Build data and control pipelines for waypoint generation, vehicle status, telemetry, command execution, sensor data, mission logs, and post-mission analysis.
• Integrate third-party APIs, software development kits, web services, middleware, and hardware interfaces across flight controllers, edge devices, ground-control systems, and external platforms.
• Configure and troubleshoot wired and wireless network interfaces, addressing, ports, routing, protocols, authentication, permissions, and connectivity needed for reliable system operation.
• Deploy and maintain software on Linux-based edge-computing platforms, including NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi, or comparable embedded systems.
• Use version control, containerization, logging, configuration management, and reproducible deployment practices to support collaborative software development.
• Support simulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, laboratory, and field testing; collect results and diagnose software, hardware, and communication failures.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including software architecture notes, API/interface specifications, setup instructions, test plans, results, and troubleshooting guides.
• Coordinate with project leads and interdisciplinary team members, communicate technical risks and progress, and follow applicable laboratory, flight-test, safety, and information-security procedures.
• Perform other related software engineering and systems-integration duties as assigned

This role may include occasional domestic travel for integration activities and field tests.

A Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Strongly Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, information technology, or a closely related field.
• At least one year of applied software development, research, internship, military, or project experience involving autonomous systems, robotics, embedded systems, networked platforms, or related engineering work.
• Strong programming ability in Python or another system-oriented (e.g., C/C++) language.
• Experience with Linux, Git-based version control, Docker or other container tools, and structured software-development workflows.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of networking concepts and troubleshooting, including IP addressing, ports, TCP/UDP, wireless networking, routing, firewalls, authentication, and secure data exchange.
• Experience with embedded or edge-computing platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP32, or similar hardware.
• Experience with autonomous drones, uncrewed aerial systems, robotics, navigation, mission-planning software, flight controllers, sensors, or ground-control systems is strongly preferred.
• Experience with computer vision, AI/ML, OpenCV, PyTorch, or related tools is beneficial for perception and autonomy applications.
• Demonstrated ability to test integrated systems, analyze logs, isolate failures, and move prototypes toward reliable operation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and collaboratively in laboratory and field-test environments.

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $75,000 to $80,000 annually

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual's particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Grade: GGS 11
University Title: Engineer II
To review the University of Missouri's Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Review of applications to begin immediately. Job posting will remain open until filled.

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Kansas City offers the best of both worlds-a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city's rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City's biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.

UMKC's campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital.

UMKC is proud to be "Kansas City's university," and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.