Mobile Robotics research line of the Robotics and Automation Unit

The Mobile Robotics research line of the Robotics and Automation Unit at Eurecat Technology Center (Barcelona) is seeking a highly motivated researcher/engineer with strong expertise in aerial robotics, autonomous UAV systems, AI-driven perception, navigation, localization and flight autonomy. The selected candidate will contribute to the development of next-generation autonomous aerial systems, including multirotor and VTOL platforms, addressing challenges in real-world applications such as infrastructure inspection, surveillance, logistics, precision agriculture, emergency response, environmental monitoring, and advanced industrial operations. The position focuses on integrating Artificial Intelligence into UAV autonomy stacks to increase robustness, adaptability, situational awareness, and cognitive capabilities in complex and dynamic environments. We are looking for candidates with strong robotics software development skills (ROS/ROS2, C++, Python) and hands-on experience with real UAV platforms, outdoor deployments, onboard perception systems, and autonomous flight operations. Research Activities - Autonomous UAV navigation and mission execution. - AI-driven perception and scene understanding for aerial robotics. - Localization and SLAM in GNSS-denied environments. - Cooperative multi-UAV systems and fleet coordination. - Vision-based autonomy and onboard decision-making. - Cross-domain navigation/localization technologies transferable between aerial and ground robotic platforms. Responsibilities - Participate in the definition, design, and development of new AI-driven robotics concepts. - Scientific and technical contributions to project advancements. - Development, validation, and maintenance of high-quality software for applied research in robotics. - Integration and deployment of robotic systems in field trials. - Participation in scientific publications and dissemination activities. - Support project management to ensure proper execution and delivery. - Maintain active collaboration with clients, partners, and multidisciplinary teams. Academic Background - PhD, MSc, or equivalent experience in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, AI, Computer Vision, Computer Science, or related fields. Mandatory Skills - Strong background in autonomous aerial navigation and localization, including path planning, trajectory generation, SLAM, state estimation and perception systems for aerial platforms. - Proficiency in ROS/ROS2 and strong programming skills (C++ and Python) - Familiarity with simulation environments for aerial robotics (e.g., Gazebo, Isaac Sim). - AI/ML applied to robotics (semantic mapping, 3D scene understanding, reinforcement learning, or multi-robot coordination). - Experience with Edge AI deployment: optimizing Deep Learning models for real-time execution on onboard hardware (Jetson, NUC). - Familiarity with Linux-based embedded systems, Dockerized deployment workflows, and hardware/software integration for robotic platforms. - Experience with version control and collaborative software development practices. Nice to Have - Experience with real UAV platforms and outdoor flight testing. - Experience with multirotor and/or VTOL autonomous systems. - Knowledge of PX4, ArduPilot and ROS2-based UAV integration. - Experience with SLAM, localization and navigation in GNSS-denied environments. - Experience with sensor fusion, Visual Odometry (VO), Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO), and perception-driven navigation. - Advanced 3D perception using LiDAR, stereo, RGB-D, thermal or event cameras. - Experience integrating AI/Deep Learning models into onboard robotic autonomy systems. - Experience with cooperative multi-UAV systems, swarm robotics or fleet coordination. Soft Skills & Practical Aspects - Excellent communication skills, adaptability, and creativity. - Fluent English; other languages are a plus. - Availability to travel occasionally. Working Environment and Benefits Our laboratory is located