APL Autonomous System Operations and Control Engineer 1
UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP
23563 (NE S UAW RSE)
23562 (E S UAW RSE))
CLASS SERIES CONCEPT
Within the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), apply engineering knowledge gained through formal education at least at the Bachelor’s level or equivalent/related experience to conduct research in one or more of the following core technical competencies APL is required to maintain as a United States Navy University Affiliated Research Center (UARC): experimental oceanography, acoustic propagation in the ocean, underwater instrumentation and equipment, simulations and signal processing, acoustic and related systems, marine corrosion, mission related and public service quick response research, development, and/or engineering.
Designs, develops, tests, documents, analyzes, and operates autonomous systems and controls, as well as associated tools and utilities for systems, resources, and information management. Areas of discipline include signal processing, control engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering, robotics, etc. Typically requires broad knowledge and understanding of state-of-the-art principles and methods relevant to computational sciences and/or information technology. Responsible for creating new robotic concepts and designs. Develops algorithms and software to control and maintain robotic systems.
Responsibility for, assisting or contributing in one or more of the following tasks: Identifying and defining research problems; Designing approaches or hypotheses to be tested and the methodology to be used; Designing specific phases of research projects; Analyzing results; Developing conclusions and hypotheses; Presenting research results in publishable form; Developing and obtaining research grants.
BASIC FUNCTION
This is an entry level professional researcher. Perform routine scientific or engineering work, evaluating, selecting, and applying standardized scientific or engineering procedures and techniques to assignments with clear, specific objectives; assignments require investigation of a limited number of variables and few complex features. Limited exercise of judgment is required on details of work and in making preliminary selections and adaptations of alternatives.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Works under limited supervision to complete assigned tasks/projects, demonstrating the ability to work independently. Supervisor screens assignments for unusual or difficult problems and selects techniques and procedures to be applied on non-routine work. Receives close supervision on new aspects of assignments. Knows the fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization; continues development of technical expertise and knowledge through experience and application.
TYPICAL WORK
Using accepted methods and techniques, solves well-defined problems and performs specific and limited portions of broader projects, under technical guidance of an experienced scientist/engineer.
Applies standard practices and techniques in specific situations, adjusts and correlates data, recognizes discrepancies in results, and follows operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes.
Defines and improves practices from experiences on small projects.
Conducts experiments/tests in the laboratory/field that include taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling, and processing data.
Contributes data/findings for use in reports, documents, or oral/written presentations.
Interacts in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organizational goals; may provide ideas to improve efficiency at group level; networks primarily within own technical peer group.
In the process of learning methods for planning, including assessment of cost, scope, and schedule against plan; implements established systems/approaches for moderately difficult tasks.
No defined role in identifying/securing research funding, however, successful performance of project related tasks provides support to on-going funding efforts.
May guide the work of junior staff or students as necessary to achieve specific assignments.
Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in a related field and one year of relevant experience,
OR
Equivalent combination of education/experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
There may be instances where an individual position requires additional security clearance and/or U.S. citizenship. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate security clearance/U.S. citizenship is obtained for each position.
CIVIL SERVICE EXEMPTION
Research
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
- New to UAW: 06-16-2022 per PERC Case No. 134711-E-21.
- Prior to 06-16-2022, this work was in professional staff 19692 – Research Scientist/Engineer 1 (NE S 6) and 11492 – Research Scientist/Engineer 1 (E S 6).