Sensor Fusion Engineer

Do you want to create technology that makes a difference in the world? At Applied Research Associates (ARA), we create software that improves our nation's safety and security. ARA has been the recognized defense industry leader in augmented reality (AR) software applications for over a decade. ARA is 100% employee-owned, meaning everyone benefits from the company's success. As a part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to make a unique real-world impact!

At ARA we are driven by a passion for developing innovative solutions to challenging problems of national importance. Our culture rewards autonomy and initiative and we foster a stable environment where personal and professional growth is prioritized.

We are looking for highly skilled scientists and engineers for this position to join our augmented reality (AR) team. ARA's augmented reality technology is used by the US Army and others to improve the situational awareness of our soldiers on the battlefield. Our AR technology provides accurate, timely information so that teams can make the right decisions and operate with enhanced safety and speed. It is not an overstatement to say that this capability will save lives, by improving coordination, decisiveness, and communication.

Specifically, we need engineers and scientists who have the ability or interest to design and implement defense-grade augmented reality software. The software you develop will be fielded on a wide range of Army systems, including night vision goggles, ground vehicles, and far target locators.

See what we do, and read about us in the news:

• ARC4 Homepage
  • https://www.ara.com/arc4/
• Read at ARA.com, "US Army Awards ARA Contract for It's Cutting-Edge Augmented Reality Software"
  • https://www.ara.com/news/us-army-awards-ara-contract-its-cutting-edge-augmented-reality-software/
• Read at Ars Technica, "Head up: Augmented reality prepares for the battlefield"
  • https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/05/heads-up-augmented-reality-prepares-for-the-battlefield/
• WATCH on YouTube, "ARC4 Fieldcraft Series: Marking Points"
  • https://youtu.be/ZCDpdFq_bic

Our technology:

• AR application software built for Windows, Linux, and Android (heavy use of Android NDK) in C++17 using Qt/QML, OpenGL, Eigen, libUSB, and ZMQ
• Real-time sensor fusion solutions utilizing Kalman filters and particle filters built with C++ and Python
• Navigation simulation framework built with MATLAB, used for validating algorithms against noisy sensors attached to pedestrians and vehicles
• Visual inertial odometry solution implemented in C++ for embedded and mobile platforms
• Multiple advanced inertial sensor calibration solutions

Our team's interests:

• Resilient North-Seeking and Geo-Location Strategies Our customer's often work outdoors and need to visualize geo-registered information. Our AR technology is built from the ground up to enable efficient navigation and coordination
• Sensor Fusion Our AR solutions are working with noisy sensors in real-time, whether tracking pedestrian head position or vehicle orientation. We use various kinds of Kalman filters and particle filters to get the job done and we love digging into the details
• Cutting-Edge Sensor Technology We have to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in sensing technology, from chip-scale optical gyros to near-field magnetic induction
• Computer Vision-Aided Tracking Cameras can be a cheap way to add valuable, passive tracking information. We utilize these techniques where we can, and it's always an engaging challenge
• Purpose-Built Devices Our code runs on devices that people work with and wear, which comes with unique processing and resource constraints. This also means we employ multiple strategies to test our code from automated unit testing to device emulation and field testing

Candidates must have:

• Due to the work we perform and our interactions with the defense community you will need to be eligible to apply for and hold a US security clearance (however, it is unlikely that applicants will undergo a security investigation at the time of employment)
• One of the following:
  • A Bachelor's degree with 2 years of professional experience in AR/robotics/navigation,
  • A Master's degree in a STEM field
• A strong understanding of a general-purpose programming language and some experience with C++,
• Some experience in at least one of our technologies or interests, and
• A desire to learn at least one of our other technologies or interests

Who is ARA?

Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 1,700 employee owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, "Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit" sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice with what happens in the company. We are also very proud of our Women's Initiative Network (WIN), whose purpose is to motivate, support, and encourage professional career development for women to maximize career and professional accomplishments.

To find out more about what the Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)