Autonomous Systems Engineer - Clearance Required

LMI is seeking an Autonomous Systems Engineerwith a minimum of an activeSECRETclearance and at least 3 years of demonstrated experience to support the United States Special Operations Command.

You should be comfortable working on autonomous systems to include drones and robots.

LMI is a new breed of digital solutions provider dedicated to accelerating government impact with innovation and speed. Investing in technology and prototypes ahead of need, LMI brings commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI to federal agencies at commercial speed.

Leveraging our mission-ready technology and solutions, provenexpertisein federal deployment, and strategic relationships, we enhance outcomes for the government, efficiently and effectively. With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors-helping agencies navigate complexity and outpace change. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, LMI is committed to delivering impactful results that strengthen missions and drive lasting value.

This position requires an active Secret clearance.

Develop and maintain drone control software using Python and C++.

• Implement autonomous behaviors and navigation via ROS (Robot Operating System).

• Define and use Protocol Buffers (Protobuf) for reliable drone-to-ground and inter-drone communication.

• Simulate and test drone behavior in virtual environments using Gazebo, validating control algorithms before real-world deployment.
• Configure and calibrate flight controllers such as PX4 or ArduPilot for stable and precise flight.
• Integrate and tune sensors (IMUs, GPS, LiDAR, cameras) to support navigation, mapping, and autonomy.
• Select and maintain propulsion components: brushless DC motors, ESCs, and propellers for optimal thrust and efficiency.
• Assemble, inspect, and troubleshoot drones, including battery management, motor alignment, structural integrity, and vibration mitigation.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware issues quickly to minimize downtime and ensure safe flight operations.

• Clearance:Minimum of an activeSECRETclearance.

• Education:STEM Bachelor's degree or related technical field.

• Experience:Minimum of 2-years of experience

• Government Experience:Previous government technology experience

• Programming:C and C++for embedded systems; familiarity with Python for scripting and automation.

• Automation:Experience usingGitLabfor CI/CD and automated firmware build environments.

• Security:DoD 8570 IAT Level II Certification (Security+ or equivalent).

Preferred Qualifications

• Top-Secret clearance

• Master's degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering.

• Previous experience working with US Special Operations