Robotics Navigation Engineer

Janicki Overview:

At Janicki Industries, we turn complex ideas into real-world solutions through advanced engineering and manufacturing. Our teams design and build innovative structures, tooling, and systems that support industries including aerospace, space, defense, marine, and architecture.

Across every role, from engineers and technicians to operations and support teams, our people help solve challenging problems, push the limits of design and manufacturing, and create solutions that make a lasting impact.

Department Summary:

The Robotics Navigation Engineer is responsible for the autonomous navigation systems that enable our large industrial AGVs to safely traverse factory environments. This includes deploying and configuring SLAM algorithms, integrating LIDAR and vision sensors for localization, implementing path-planning and obstacle-avoidance solutions, and ensuring that vehicles transporting payloads up to 50,000 lb. can reliably drive from location to location without collisions. The emphasis is on applying commercially available frameworks, such as the ROS 2 Navigation Stack and NVIDIA Isaac, rather than developing navigation algorithms from scratch.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Configure and deploy SLAM frameworks (ROS 2 Nav Stack, NVIDIA Isaac, or equivalent) for localization in large indoor manufacturing environments
• Integrate and calibrate multi-sensor arrays including LIDAR, depth cameras, wheel encoders, and IMUs for robust localization
• Implement and tune path-planning and obstacle-avoidance algorithms for slow-moving, heavy-payload AGVs (up to 3,400 lb vehicle weight, carrying up to 50,000 lb)
• Build and maintain mapping and re-localization pipelines that accommodate changing factory layouts and dynamic obstacles
• Implement safety-rated obstacle detection appropriate for human-robot shared workspaces
• Perform field testing, data collection, and failure analysis to drive continuous improvement in navigation reliability
• Evaluate emerging navigation technologies and commercial platforms; make or recommend build-versus-buy decisions at senior levels

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field
• Willingness to work on-site at our Sedro-Woolley or Bellingham, WA facilities
• Due to our ITAR and EAR regulations, applicants must be a US Citizen or of Legal Permanent Resident Status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b (a) (3).
• This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required).  Janicki will assist with gaining this access once employed. Special Access Program or other Government Access Requirements are mandatory for this position and requires candidate agreed to enter a Continuous Evaluation program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with ROS/ROS 2 navigation frameworks (academic projects through production deployments, depending on level)
• Familiarity with SLAM techniques (EKF-SLAM, graph-based SLAM, visual SLAM)
• Hands-on experience with LIDAR or depth camera hardware (Velodyne, Ouster, Intel RealSense, etc.)
• Programming proficiency in Python and/or C in Linux environments
• Experience with NVIDIA Isaac SDK, Isaac ROS, Isaac Sim, or Jetson platforms
• Experience with multi-sensor fusion for localization (LIDAR visual wheel odometry)
• Familiarity with industrial safety standards for mobile robots (ANSI/RIA R15.08, ISO 3691-4)
• Experience with large or heavy-payload mobile platforms (AGVs, AMRs, or outdoor vehicles)
• Background in manufacturing, warehousing, or industrial automation environments
• Experience with simulation environments (Gazebo, Isaac Sim)
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

We are hiring at three experience levels for this position: 

• Entry Level: new graduates with 0–2 years of experience
• Mid-Level: 5 years of professional experience in robotics or autonomous systems
• Senior Level: 10 years of professional experience, with a track record of deploying autonomous navigation on physical platforms

Detailed Wage Information 

Wage range for this role is between $85,000 - $175,000 plus a discretionary bonus, 401(k) matching, vacation, and health benefits. Employees can also receive additional pay for off-shifts, off-site work, and access pay. The range provided is Janicki’s estimate of the base compensation for this role. Actual amount offered will be based on job-related and non-discriminatory factors such as experience, location, education, training, skills, and abilities 

Benefits 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with employer contribution
• Disability insurance as well as Life/AD&D insurance
• HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer contribution and FSA (Flexible Savings Account)
• 401k with employer matching
• Paid time off and paid holidays (including two floating holidays)
• Education reimbursement program
• Several shift options

Not sure that you’ll be the perfect fit for this role? You should still apply! We’ll review your application for other opportunities. We are always on the lookout for talented people!

By applying for this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified, you may be contacted for this and future openings.

Janicki Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Janicki Industries does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, retaliation, veteran/military service status, or any other legally protected status.  Janicki is proud to be a military friendly employer.

Applicants or employees wishing to view a copy of Janicki Industries’ Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at (360) 404-1997.

As a federal government contractor and a recipient of federal funding, Janicki is required to abide by federal drug testing requirements (including preemployment drug testing for cannabis). Additionally, because of Janicki’s work on aerospace products and the high volume of safety sensitive positions, Janicki takes the safety of its employees very seriously and requires that employees pass a preemployment drug test prior to starting employment.

Salary : $85,000 - $175,000