At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and optimisation of navigation systems for autonomous vehicles.
- Company: Innovative SME focused on real-world autonomous systems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity for growth, and influence in a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Shape the future of autonomy and make a real impact in live deployments.
- Qualifications: MSc/PhD in relevant field and 4-5+ years in autonomous systems.
- Other info: Join a growing team with clear paths for mentorship and leadership.
The predicted salary is between 57600 - 84000 £ per year.
An advanced SME developing real-world autonomous systems is looking to hire a Senior Navigation Control Engineer as a key early addition to its edge autonomy team. This is a high‑ownership role where the successful candidate will take responsibility for the navigation control stack, help shape the technical roadmap, and play a key role in scaling the system for live fleet deployment as the company grows.
The role focuses on maintaining and evolving an existing navigation codebase, making it robust, secure and production‑ready for articulated vehicles operating in complex industrial environments such as seaports. Working closely with perception, localisation and systems engineers, the engineer will ensure safe, efficient and reliable autonomous navigation from planning through control.
What you'll do:
- Own the design, development and optimisation of the navigation layer, including path planning, behaviour planning, motion/trajectory planning and vehicle control.
- Collaborate closely with perception and localisation teams to enable safe, informed decision‑making.
- Establish KPIs and testing frameworks for navigation performance in SIL and HIL environments.
- Ensure compliance with safety and performance standards such as SOTIF.
- Translate advances in navigation, motion planning and control research into deployable production solutions.
- Contribute to engineering standards and best practices as the autonomy team scales.
Experience required:
- MSc or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- 4‑5+ years’ experience working on autonomous vehicles or robotic systems.
- Strong expertise in path planning, behaviour planning, motion/trajectory planning and control systems.
- Excellent C++ and Python skills with good knowledge of ROS2.
- Strong understanding of vehicle kinematics, dynamics and control theory.
- Hands‑on experience testing navigation algorithms on real robots or autonomous vehicles.
Why join:
This role offers the opportunity to own a critical autonomy capability within a growing SME, influence technical direction, work on live industrial deployments and step into a position with clear scope to expand responsibility and mentor others as the navigation function grows.
Senior Navigation Control Engineer employer: The Talent Locker Ltd.
Contact Detail:
The Talent Locker Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Navigation Control Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups or webinars, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, especially around autonomous systems and navigation control. We want you to be able to discuss how your skills align with their needs, so practice articulating your experience in path planning and control systems.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your work! If you’ve got projects or contributions to open-source software, make sure to highlight them. We love seeing practical examples of your expertise in C++ or Python, especially if they relate to robotics or autonomous vehicles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. We’re excited to find someone who can take ownership of the navigation control stack, so don’t hesitate to put yourself forward!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Navigation Control Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Navigation Control Engineer role. Highlight your experience with path planning, control systems, and any hands-on work with autonomous vehicles. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about autonomous systems and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Let us know what excites you about this opportunity at StudySmarter.
Showcase Relevant Projects: If you've worked on projects related to navigation or robotics, make sure to mention them! We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, so include any relevant experiences that demonstrate your expertise in the field.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Talent Locker Ltd.
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of navigation control systems, path planning, and motion/trajectory planning. Be ready to discuss your previous projects and how they relate to the role. The more specific examples you can provide, the better!
✨Show Your Collaboration Skills
This role involves working closely with perception and localisation teams, so be prepared to talk about your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with others to solve complex problems in autonomous systems.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Expertise
Since strong C++ and Python skills are essential, be ready to discuss your coding experience. You might even be asked to solve a technical problem on the spot, so practice coding challenges related to navigation algorithms beforehand.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the company's mission and the specific challenges they face in deploying autonomous systems in industrial environments. Showing that you understand their goals and how your role fits into that will set you apart from other candidates.