Mission Autonomy Software Engineer

About Us:

HavocAI is an innovative defense technology company making scalable maritime autonomy a reality. We are pioneering an end-to-end solution for planning, tasking and control of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). As we continue to quickly grow, we are looking for motivated individuals that are inspired to work within an extremely energetic, creative, and innovative team that is passionate about maritime robotics and exploring the open ocean. We work in a highly dynamic environment where collaboration and idea sharing are a way of life.

About the Role:

At HavocAI, you’ll be key in advancing autonomous mission planning by designing and optimizing reinforcement learning models for AI-driven platforms. You’ll collaborate across teams to integrate ML algorithms into robotic systems and rigorously test performance using simulation environments. If you have hands-on ML expertise, a strong foundation in reinforcement learning, and a passion for deploying mission-critical solutions, we invite you to join our innovative team..

Key Responsibilities:

• Mission Planner and Agent Development: Design, develop, train, and optimize models tailored for mission autonomy applications, with a focus on implementing reinforcement learning and other optimization algorithms. These models will focus on high level coordination and strategy generation for AI-enabled platforms.
• System Integration: Collaborate with robotics, systems engineering, and data science teams to integrate ML algorithms into autonomous platforms.
• Simulation & Testing: Develop and maintain simulation environments (e.g., a Gym or PettingZoo) to rigorously test and validate model performance under various mission scenarios.
• Performance Analysis: Analyze data from simulations and field tests, iteratively refining algorithms to enhance reliability, robustness, performance, and efficiency.
• Research & Innovation: Stay abreast of the latest advancements in ML, RL, and autonomous systems; prototype innovative approaches and implement best practices.
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of experiments, code, and methodologies to facilitate team collaboration and reproducibility.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 3+ years of professional experience in machine learning with an emphasis on reinforcement learning and deep learning.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar tools.
• Hands-on experience with Gyms or similar simulation frameworks and familiarity with RL algorithms such as PPO, DDPG, TD3, SAC, or D-REX.
• Solid understanding of algorithm development, optimization techniques, and simulation methods.
• Proven ability to deploy and maintain ML models in real-world, mission-critical applications.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with a strong collaborative mindset.
• Must be a US Citizen

Preferred Skills:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant technical discipline.
• Experience working on autonomous systems, robotics, or collaborative autonomy projects.
• Familiarity with additional simulation platforms (e.g., Gazebo, Unity, MOOS-IvP) and cloud computing environments.
• Demonstrated track record of research contributions or publications in ML, RL, or deep learning.
• Experience with CI/CD practices tailored for ML model development and deployment.

Location:

• This position will sit in the Greater Boston Area

Compensation and Benefits:

• The target salary range for this position is $120,000 - $180,000
• 100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families
• Ability to participate in the companies 401k program
• Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum
• Generous Equity Package
• Generous work / home office Stipend
• Global Entry Re-Imbursement

Our Values:

• Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.
• Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.
• Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.
• Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.
• Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.
• Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.