Senior Scientist - Autonomous Systems

Senior Scientist

At GE Aerospace Research, our researchers work on the advancement of new Autonomous Systems technology to solve industrial problems for the Future of Flight. This work covers both fundamental and applied exploration, ultimately looking to provide a real path forward for sustainable air travel for the world, to advance the frontiers of beyond-atmosphere travel, and to continue to support the country's needs in national security. As a Senior Scientist, you will design, experiment, analyze, improve, and apply new Autonomous Systems technology. The focus of this technology is two-fold: 1) the automation of independent action for manufacturing systems (including robots operating independently and in coordination with human workers), and 2) the development of increasingly autonomous sensing, navigation, and mission planning for uncrewed and reduced-crew vehicles and their subsystems. On the manufacturing side, this work emphasizes the development of high-mix capabilities that can be applied to a wide variety of tasks, parts, and product lines without requiring bespoke hardware and software development. On the vehicle and mission systems side, this work emphasizes the development of new approaches to customer-needed capabilities (like detection and localization of cargo for pickup) as well as common modules that can be applied across a wide variety of applications (like detect-and-avoid systems to prevent midair near-miss conditions when unresponsive or uncooperative items enter active airspace). This work will involve supporting an increasing corporate investment in fundamental and applied research in Embodied Artificial Intelligence, where GE Aerospace looks to lead the sector in adaptive, continuously-learning systems that participate actively in the physical world. Along the way, you will investigate concepts from their fundamentals (theoretical and empirical) to their prototype, and transition those technologies for use in new solutions that change the world. This will involve leading and contributing to new projects with GE Aerospace business units and a wide array of fellow researchers across disciplines and domains, as well as working with GE Aerospace leadership across the enterprise to create and structure new projects which will be executed with Research personnel involved. It will also include the opportunity to develop, propose, and work on government-sponsored, cutting-edge research programs with GE Aerospace's external partners in academia and government. You will help drive the future of Autonomous Systems research at GE and advance human scientific understanding among the broader global community.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Work with and lead teams of researchers on new and continuing projects
• Develop hardware/software solutions that improve autonomy capabilities for manufacturing and/or vehicle solutions, ultimately impacting the product and service offerings of GE Aerospace as well as its internal tools and practices via technologies transitioned beyond GE Aerospace Research; this can involve work ranging from mechanical robotic system design to rapid prototyping/fabrication, electrical system integration to controls algorithm implementation, sensing model development to behavior or action learning system creation
• Implement and analyze prototypes and solutions for real-world problems
• Employ software libraries, tools, and practices to implement efficient, scalable, and reusable solutions
• Collaborate with GE Aerospace's other Autonomous Systems experts to define and pursue strategic advancement of new technologies
• Publish novel findings in scientific workshops, conferences, and journals
• Create intellectual property by writing invention disclosures and filing patents
• Develop in technical and leadership skills in preparation for future work as a Principal Scientist or part of Technical Management

Qualifications/Requirements:

• MS + 7 years experience or PhD + 5 years experience in Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related fields with a focus on technologies that can be embodied in robotic or limited-crew vehicle deployment solutions
• Minimum of 4 years of commercial or industrial experience
• Demonstrated ability to write Python code for quick demonstration of ideas as well as robust, efficient, scaled-up software systems
• Candidate must be willing to travel a minimum of 2 weeks per year
• U.S. citizenship is required
• Willing to relocate to work out of an office located in Niskayuna, NY

Ideal Candidate Characteristics:

• Ph.D. focusing on new advancements in Robotics, Mechatronics, and/or Autonomous Systems (including Uncrewed Aerial Systems in particular)
• Deep expertise in one or more of: Vehicle Autonomy, Mission Autonomy, High-Mix Robot Autonomy, Human-Machine Teaming, Human-Robot Interaction Design
• Demonstrated ability to write C/C++ code for edge system use
• Experience in writing grant proposals and participating in the execution of grant-supported research; includes demonstrated successful communication with government agencies such as DARPA, ARL, AFRL, and ONR
• Ability to obtain Secret (or higher) US Government clearance
• Post-doctoral or industrial experience inventing and developing new Autonomous Systems technologies
• Extensive publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences in Autonomous Systems-related topics and/or relevant application fields
• Contribution to public domain codebases and/or significant GitHub portfolio to demonstrate mastery and impact
• Experience working with industrial arm robots

The base pay range for this position is 100,000 - 205,000 USD Annually. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate's experience, education, and skill set. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on a percentage of your base salary. This posting is expected to close on November 10, 2025.

Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.