Phd Robotics Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

The Role

This is not a data-science or generative-AI role. We are looking for a hands-on field-robotics engineer who integrates commercial platforms, sensors, payload computers, perception, autonomy, teleoperation, and manipulation into systems that work reliably in hazardous, difficult-access environments.

Experience in nuclear, industrial, defense, mining, or offshore field settings matters more than subsea experience specifically, but you should want to extend into subsea and work closely with marine specialists. You will work under the technical direction of senior engineering leadership.

One scoping note, stated up front: AI-enabled perception and autonomy functions here support engineering and operational decisions. They are not credited nuclear safety functions, and we will hold that line deliberately.

•  Help define the robotics and autonomy approach for routine inspection, condition monitoring, mapping, maintenance support, intervention, recovery, and abnormal-event response.

•  Integrate mobile robots, ROVs, AUVs, manipulators, sensor payloads, edge computers, communications, operator interfaces, and mission software into deployable systems.

•  Develop perception and autonomy for localization, mapping, route planning, obstacle avoidance, inspection coverage, anomaly detection, and supervised manipulation.

•  Build and maintain software in Python and/or C++ using ROS 2, vendor SDKs, and simulation environments, with real software-engineering practice.

•  Develop teleoperation, shared-control, fail-safe, degraded-mode, and operator-handoff concepts appropriate to safety-significant infrastructure.

•  Build test rigs, hardware-in-the-loop tests, and field demonstrations; define acceptance criteria and verification plans.

•  Evaluate commercial platforms and components and contribute to build-versus-buy recommendations.

•  Work directly with our subsea systems engineer while the module geometry is still open — shaping access envelopes, docking and tooling interfaces, manipulator clearances, and inspection coverage rather than inheriting them, and collaborating with nuclear, mechanical, electrical, controls, and cybersecurity engineers to close physical and digital interfaces.

•  Identify limitations, failure modes, and validation needs for AI-enabled functions — and say plainly what they cannot be trusted to do.

Qualifications

•  PhD in robotics, computer or electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, computer science, controls, or a closely related discipline.

•  4+ years hands-on developing or deploying robotic, autonomous, or remotely operated systems outside purely academic software environments.

•  Strong Python and/or C++, with practical ROS or ROS 2 experience or comparable integration frameworks.

•  Experience integrating sensors, actuators, embedded or edge computers, communications, power systems, and mechanical payloads.

•  Ability to troubleshoot across software, electrical, mechanical, networking, and operational boundaries.

•  Ability to distinguish a research demonstration from a reliable, maintainable, field-deployable system.

Nice to Have

•  Advanced degree in robotics, autonomous systems, controls, computer vision, or mechatronics.

•  Robots deployed in nuclear facilities, hazardous environments, industrial plants, defense applications, mines, or offshore facilities.

•  ROVs, AUVs, unmanned surface vehicles, robotic manipulators, inspection robots, or multi-robot systems.

•  SLAM, LiDAR, stereo or monocular vision, thermal imaging, sonar, DVL/INS, radiation sensors, or NDE payloads.

•  Underwater communication, tether management, pressure-rated hardware, degraded visibility, currents, or biofouling.

•  Gazebo, Isaac Sim, MuJoCo, MATLAB/Simulink, or hardware-in-the-loop systems.

•  Functional safety, cybersecurity, reliability engineering, FMEA, redundancy, or fail-safe design.

•  Digital twins, inspection data management, or configuration-controlled engineering workflows.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary, meaningful equity, and full benefits, including 401(k), medical/dental/vision, paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave, subject to company plans and policies. Compensation reflects role scope, relevant experience, technical depth, and expected impact.

Compensation Range: $100,000 - $120,000 base salary, plus stock options, commensurate with experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Momentum Power is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.