Software Engineer University Of Washington
Seattle, WA

Job Description

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here. As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a "Great College to Work For" for five consecutive years.

The Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington (APL-UW) is a national center for advanced science and engineering research and development and education. APL-UW was formed in 1943 for the U.S. Navy to bring university research resources to bear on urgent WWII defense problems. APL-UW has developed an international reputation for its broad based programs in science, engineering and for designing, building, and deploying the advanced technology required to meet the research needs of numerous government and commercial sponsors. With modern facilities, equipment and over 350 talented researchers and staff, APL-UW provides a unique, dynamic work environment with many opportunities.

The Ocean Engineering (OE) department of the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) conducts ocean engineering design and field operations support for ambitious basic and applied research programs, including at-sea engineering, research diving, and instrument design and fabrication.

APL has an outstanding full time opportunity for a Software Engineer.

This position supports research which develops robotic platforms for ocean exploration and science, with a focus on perception, situational awareness, and mission planning. This position supports research projects across multiple agencies which are focused on underwater sensing, sensor fusion, 3D reconstruction and situational awareness. The overall goal of these projects is to develop a robust toolset for building, manipulating, and working within 3D models of the environment around a subsea robot, allowing it to navigate, plan, and interact with the world.

This position is funded through research sponsored by NSF, DARPA, NASA, SERDP, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NavFac) and Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division.

COMPLEXITIES:

The work of the Applied Physics Laboratory is innovative. Our sponsors seek novel solutions to research problems, at times within tight timeframes for response. The platforms we create may be the first of their kind. There may not be reference points in existing technology for our work, or the way our sponsors wish to apply existing technology.

The technology we create is often deployed in remote locations which cannot be readily accessed. We must create platforms which can work reliably and consistently, as recovering them to troubleshoot or repair may only be possible once a year, using a research ship or airplane. For example, an instrument may be deployed at sea, at depths of 1000' or greater. Moreover, the environmental conditions in which our instruments are deployed is typically harsh, for example, in salt water (which degrades materials and causes electronics to malfunction), at depth in the sea (where the effects of pressure on instruments is much more intense than on land), or around polar ice caps (subject to extreme cold temperatures, freezing and thawing). Not only must we design and fabricate instruments with great precision and reliability, we must also ensure they will function with high reliability under very hostile conditions.

DIMENSIONS/UW IMPACT:

This position supports an ongoing research stream with the Ocean Engineering group at APL, allowing the research stream to potentially take on additional research grants and extend into new areas. This position directly supports APL's research mission, delivering research products to sponsors

Initially, the incumbent and the PI will each take responsibility for portions of a project and solve the research problem through their combined efforts. Ultimately, the PI will assign this position a research problem to solve entirely independently.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Software development. The incumbent will perform all phases of the software development lifecycle, to include design, development, testing/debugging, operation, and documentation.

Research proposals. The incumbent will contribute to the PI's efforts to identify and lead proposals for new research projects and funding, and may also do so independent of the PI.

Technical development. The incumbent will develop new engineering methods/approaches and technical standards, and may serve as a key leader in extending technical capabilities.

Initially, the incumbent and the PI will each take responsibility for portions of a project and solve the research problem through their combined efforts. Ultimately, the PI will assign this position a research problem to solve entirely independently.

LEAD RESPONSIBILITIES:

As part of a research team, this position will direct the work of other engineers, technicians, and students. This position may also lead projects.

REQUIREMENTS:

Doctoral Degree in Computer Science or related field and at least four years of experience with the following:

Complex software design, development, and testing

Identifying and leading or significantly contributing to external requests for funding

Excellent and creative/novel problem-solving skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Must be physically capable of working at sea in small to large vessels for extended periods (days to weeks) and willing to perform such duties

Ability to work independently, and as a part of a research team, interacting cooperatively with people from diverse backgrounds, academic levels, and nationalities

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED:

Prior experience working with:

Robotics, UUVs, AUVs, or ocean gliders

Processing and fusion of vision and sonar data

Generation and manipulation of 3D models and point clouds

Processing of large data sets, cloud computing

Reproducible data analysis

Systems for US Naval applications

Oceanographic and/or acoustic systems or instrumentation

Python, C++, and Go programming languages; Linux operating system

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

May be subject to successful completion of E-Verify process

Must be US citizen capable of obtaining and maintaining a DoD security clearance

The position's work is performed in a laboratory setting as well as at sea for extended periods of time (days to weeks)

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, your experiences, perspectives and unique identities will be honored at the University of Washington. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.