Telerobotics & Haptics
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Robotics Software System Engineer

Should you apply?

You want to work in a thriving team? Contribute to high-tech developments for space? Driven for space engineering? Enthusiastic about cutting edge robotics and mechatronics? Like a nice, friendly, openminded but high focus work environment? 

Overview of the Position:

THis position is related to the ongoing series of flight demonstrations on-board the International Space Station (ISS). In order to demonstrate advanced technology for teleoperation of robotic systems on Ground from Space, the ESA Telerobotics & Haptics Laboratory developes advanced haptic user interfaces for astronaut crew. For these devices, a range of highly customized sub-components are being developed that require embedded software and hardware developments.

Main Purpose of the Position:

It is the primary purpose of this position of Robotics Software System Engineer, to support the HAPTICS series of flight experiments by contributing to the software development of the embedded systems and to the real-time control software of the novel haptic exoskeleton prototype of the project. The engineer in this role will be performing design and implementation of custom embedded sensor/actuator system software, such as motor controller, analogue and digital sensor interface software and other more generic embedded system software for field-bus level communication within haptic devices. Additionally, the engineer in this position will maintain and contribute to the development of the laboratories software framework for robotic control. He will contribute to developing novel specifications and requirements and help maintain the laboratories software frameworks for real-time control and ideally help to extend them to support embedded vision applications.

Your Responsibilities:

• help develop and define / refine system level requirements for the laboratories embedded platforms and the exoskeleton robots
• development of software for embedded real-time targeting Linux based platforms as well as dedicated Microcontrollers and FPGA’s
• development of the required tools, drivers, scripts, interfaces, API’s for the software projects of the laboratory 
• development of additions for real-time communications such as Ethercat and DDS 
• development of new real-time operating system components for real-time control
• establish, review, update and analyze specifications, e.g. to organize key requirements from existing prototype designs of the laboratory
• selection of digital COTS components, such as microcontrollers, fpga's, dsp's for the purpose of embedded control implementation
• establish digital electrical schematics for new robotic electrical system components (desirable)
• manage and organize, with management and team members, the software capabilities, monitor the development process, schedule, and other necessary organizational matters to ensure timely readiness of the prototypes

Qualifications:

Educational:

• Bachelor´s degree or Master´s degree or PhD in Electrical or Software engineering from an accredited institution

• 3+ years experience in the software development, preferably with experience in embedded real-time systems
• Excellent programming skills preferably in C/C++ and scripting languages as python
• Extensive knowledge of UNIX/Linux systems preferably of the Xenomai real-time patch or another real-time operating system (QNX, RTEMS, VxWorks)
• Extensive knowledge of MATLAB/Simulink as a user and developer of S-functions and other user extensions
• Knowledge of toolchains for rapid software development based on model based design and auto code generation. This includes compiler configuration, deployment and the methods required to automate the workflow (preferably Matlab/Simulink in Windows and Linux)
• Understanding of real-time communications as Ethercat, DDS, CAN
• Programming skills for targeting highly embedded devices like FPGA’s and Microcontrollers
• Experience in computer vision is desirable
• Practical experience of software development challenges like design approaches, prototyping, mocking, testing and build systems
• Ability to realise ideas and concepts in software prototypes
• Additional experiences and knowledge on the field of computer vision, computer graphics, physic engines or artificial intelligence
• Familiarity with automation technology, robotics and control systems
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Familiarity with aerospace and/or MIL standards preferred
• Strong computer skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Strong team player

Personal:

The ESA Telerobotics & Haptics Laboratory operates in a somewhat informal fashion that encourages individuality and innovation. Nevertheless, the laboratory consists of a high focus, goal oriented and well organized structure that is targeting at innovating the space sector and implementing world-class space robotics projects and technology developments. 

The team of the Laboratory is composed of members with various professional and educational backgrounds centered around mechatronics and (tele)robotics. The Laboratories team consists of  young professional engineers, engineering doctors, promovendi and a small number of students and trainees. The Laboratories culture is such that you need to be able to integrate and contribute to a continuous `start-up´ entrepreneurial atmosphere by being highly motivated, enterprising, enthusiastic, concentrated and intrinsically driven to excellent results.

You will be a self starter and possess a good sense of responsibility. You will work under pressure of spaceflight projects and thrive on being given challenging assignments. You will be able to work easily with international team members and you will communicate clearly and be confident and persuasive. You will be intrinsically motivated to contribute to exciting robotics research and you will have excellent problem solving skills.

 

Duration and Contact:

The position is available instantly and for a period of at least 3 years with intend to extend.

Interested applicants, please submit a 1) cover letter 2) CV and brief synopsis of your prior related projects to me:

andre (dot) schiele (at) esa (dot) int  

SUBJECT: Application: Software System Engineer