Job Description

Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is a publicly funded research institute, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is home to a diverse community of leading scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and researchers from across the globe, transforming problems and roadblocks into pioneering research and technology prototypes that help move society ahead.
Secure Systems Research Center (SSRC)
General Activities

• Work with the Senior Test Engineer to conduct end-to-end system tests on Zero-Trust Autonomous Secure Platform on different UAV platforms. This includes testing the safety and resilience of autonomous systems.
• Work with experts from external, internal and facilities teams to develop the environment to conduct the experiments.

Functional Activities

• Carry out end-to-end testing of Zero-Trust Autonomous Secure Platform for ensuring secure and resilient systems involving simulations and UAVs.
• Validate security, safety, and resilience of autonomous systems.
• Maintain UxV fleet readiness, perform hardware/software integration, and support ROS2 debugging.
• Deliver technical reports, documentation, and issue tracking to ensure continuous improvement.
• The role requires subject-matter expertise across Flight Controller and Mission Computer platforms, having validated secure comms, encrypted telemetry, and runtime authentication in real-world missions.
• Plan and execute test procedures to verify software and system performance at all levels of integration on the vehicle.
• Create detailed technical reports to outline the outcome of tests conducted and concise technical documentation on how to recreate system tests.
• Create well documented bugs on Jira of issues detected during testing.
• Tune and troubleshoot the PX4 flight control software to achieve the best possible performance on the UAV.
• Work with secure autonomous hardware, firmware and software teams in developing the environments for experiments.
• Integrate UAV subsystems, such as propulsion, navigation, and payload, and performing validation tests. Knowledge of system interfaces and the ability to troubleshoot and resolve hardware-software integration issues.
• Work with the senior test engineer to plan, conduct, and analyze flight tests in controlled environments or real-world conditions, ensuring the UAV meets regulatory and performance standards.
• Test various payloads (e.g., cameras, sensors, LIDAR) and ensure proper integration and functionality.

Industry / Domain

• Autonomous UAV systems experience - design and development of zero-trust secure autonomous UAVs, UGVs and USVs.
• Broad understanding of complex systems, protocols, software, hardware, cryptography

Necessary Knowledge and Experience

• 2+ years Systems integration or testing and verification experience in UAVs.
• Experience with ROS/ROS2 for autonomous swarm UAV development.
• Excellent knowledge of UAV hardware, like Pixhawk and open-source software like Ardupilot and PX4.
• Hands-on experience in C/C++/Python, a clear understanding of OS fundamentals, strong computer science skills, and a passion for keeping solutions safe.
• Experience with different UAV communication protocols like Mavlink, Ethernet, CAN, UART etc.
• Experience in integrating, operating, and tuning autopilots on UAVs is essential.
• Experience in drone piloting and operations.
• Good working knowledge of UAV safety regulations and safe working operations.
• Excellent hardware troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to learn new skills and operate in a fast-paced and changing environment

Education and Certification Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Automation or relevant discipline with 2+ years of research or industry experience.

Qualified candidates must meet minimum requirements for the position
At TII, we help society to overcome its biggest hurdles through a rigorous approach to scientific discovery and inquiry, using state-of-the-art facilities and collaboration with leading international institutions. Our rigorous discovery and inquiry-based approach helps to forge new and disruptive breakthroughs in advanced materials, autonomous robotics, cryptography, digital security, directed energy, quantum computing and secure systems.

Skills Required