Senior Engineer - Robotics and Autonomous Systems - Vernova Research

Description

You will be a senior technical contributor on the Robotics & Computer Vision team within the company's Advanced Research group, developing advanced robotics, autonomy, and intelligent systems aimed at decarbonization, electrification, and growing renewable energy.

You will work with Advanced Research, the company's businesses, U.S. government agencies, and outside collaborators. Projects run from early concepts and prototypes through validation, technical leadership, and moving technology into real use.

This is a hands-on, interdisciplinary role. You will act as a technical anchor for the team in system design, autonomy, perception, manipulation, integration, and human-robot interaction, and help set technical direction, IP strategy, and external research opportunities.

The team combines scientific and engineering disciplines and values curiosity, technical rigor, collaboration, and mentoring. It turns research into technology for the company and the wider energy sector.

Responsibilities

• Set technical direction for robotics and autonomy, and bring deep expertise to new capabilities that fit business and research priorities.
• Design and build working systems and tools across robot design, motion planning, perception, manipulation, integration, and human-robot interaction.
• Build and demonstrate prototypes for industrial and energy problems, and test concepts quickly through experiments and validation.
• Turn new robotics technology into practical applications through careful system development and testing.
• Work with product managers, chief engineers, researchers, and business teams to define needs, requirements, and priorities, and keep development aligned with product and process roadmaps.
• Work with government agencies, industry, national laboratories, and universities on advanced technology programs.
• Identify where robotics and intelligent systems can create distinct value for the company's businesses.
• Lead invention work, including prior art analysis, disclosure writing, and support for patent applications, and produce rigorous experimental evidence for IP and technical claims.
• Present findings through reports, presentations, publications, and professional communities.
• Mentor early-career engineers and help build a culture of technical excellence and learning.
• Build strong relationships across Advanced Research and the businesses, and form partnerships that extend technical capability.
• Help find, shape, and pursue external research and commercial opportunities, and write or lead proposals for government and strategic R&D programs, including serving as principal investigator where suitable.
• Explain technical approaches to sponsors and customers in terms of their priorities.
• Share results with Advanced Research leadership, businesses, agencies, and outside stakeholders, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications and society work.

Requirements

• A PhD in engineering, robotics, computer science, or a related technical field with 5+ years of relevant professional experience, or a Master's in one of those fields with 8+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Substantial experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or closely related interdisciplinary engineering.
• A proven record of technical innovation in robotics, shown through publications, patents, prototypes, or deployed systems.
• Hands-on experience developing robotic systems in at least one of: robot design, motion planning, perception, manipulation, controls, system integration, or human-robot interaction.
• A track record of delivering complex technical projects while working across functions, teams, and levels.
• Experience leading technical programs, project delivery, or research initiatives.
• Clear written and spoken communication for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• You must be willing to work on-site at the Advanced Research site in Niskayuna, NY.
• You must already be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Desired: a PhD, which is strongly preferred for candidates focused on advanced research leadership or externally sponsored R&D.
• Desired: experience developing patentable intellectual property and supporting patent prosecution.
• Desired: experience writing successful R&D proposals, especially for U.S. government agencies or other externally funded programs.
• Desired: experience moving technology from research and prototyping into product, manufacturing, or field deployment.
• Desired: familiarity with experimental design, validation methods, and rigorous test practices.
• Desired: ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary settings and across organizational boundaries.
• Desired: creative problem-solving with a hands-on, execution-focused approach.
• Desired: ability to shape technical direction through expertise, collaboration, and credibility rather than formal authority.
• Desired: strong interpersonal skills, initiative, and a clear interest in long-term impact through industrial research.
• Desired: adaptability and resilience in changing technical and programmatic environments.

Conditions

The role is on-site at the Advanced Research site in Niskayuna, NY.

Legal work authorization in the U.S. is required. Visa sponsorship will not be offered for this position at the Master's level, now or in the future.

Any offer is conditional on passing a drug screen, where applicable.

Relocation assistance is provided.

For U.S.-based candidates, the pay range is $113,200.00 to $188,800.00. In certain areas, a geographic differential of 110%, 120%, or 130% of salary applies. Exact pay depends on experience, education, and skill set.

The posting will stay open for at least seven days after it was posted on November 02, 2026.

Benefits

• Eligibility for a discretionary annual bonus.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• A 24/7 nurse-based Health Coach resource and a 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Program for assessment, counseling, and referral.
• A tax-advantaged 401(k) through the Retirement Savings Plan, with company matching and company retirement contributions, plus Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants.
• Tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability benefits, and life insurance.
• 12 paid holidays and permissive time off.
• The company may change, suspend, replace, or end its benefit plans at any time at its sole discretion. No one has a vested right to any benefit, and this document is not an employment contract.