Autonomy Engineer

Dominion Dynamics

. Elicit and codify tactical behaviour by working with pilots, tacticians, and capability stakeholders .

Posted 10/5/2026full-timeOttawa • CanadaMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in building and validating autonomous systems, with a strong foundation in Python and/or C++. Proficient in integrating behaviour trees and learned policies within simulation environments and translating tactical requirements into engineering solutions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Python ProgrammingC++ ProgrammingBehaviour TreesReinforcement LearningSimulation Development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Software Engineering FundamentalsAutonomous Systems DevelopmentValidation and TestingScenario DesignIntegration and TestingVersion ControlCode ReviewContinuous IntegrationSoftware TestingCurriculum Design

Soft Skills

CollaborationCommunicationStakeholder EngagementAnalytical Thinking

Tools & Technologies

AuraSimHIL TestingSIL Testing

Certifications & Qualifications

Government of Canada Security Clearance Eligibility

Industry Keywords

Tactical KnowledgeAircraft Combat EmploymentBVR EngagementWVR EngagementSensor EmploymentWeapon EmploymentEW/SurvivabilityAir Battle ManagementTest-and-EvaluationFlight-Test Setting

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Elicit and codify tactical behaviour by working with pilots, tacticians, and capability stakeholders
Translate combat employment into clear, testable autonomy requirements
Architect and implement behaviour trees for structured tactical logic
Integrate learned policies where they outperform and determine how behaviour trees and learned policies hand off
Map behaviours against the PA/MA/CA autonomy taxonomy and Capability Register
Build multi-agent coordination, target engagement, and survivability across cooperating platforms
Stand up and instrument AuraSim scenarios for development, training, and stress testing
Train and validate learned policies using reward shaping, curriculum design, and large-scale rollouts
Test behaviours through the full verification and validation lifecycle, including safety and constraint enforcement
Integrate behaviours with the runtime autonomy stack
Conduct HIL/SIL testing and support flight tests
Compare observed and simulated performance and close the feedback loop
Analyse mission logs and performance data to diagnose failures and refine behaviour models
Collaborate across simulation, sensors/perception, hardware, and flight-test teams to integrate autonomy end-to-end

Requirements

What you’ll need

Strong software engineering fundamentals in Python and/or C++
Experience building autonomous or decision-making systems
Hands-on experience with behaviour trees and/or learned policies, including reinforcement learning or imitation learning
Experience developing and validating autonomy in simulation environments, including scenario design and instrumentation
Experience taking systems from simulation to real platforms, including integration, testing, and iteration against real-world performance
Ability to work directly with operational stakeholders and translate tactical intent into engineering requirements
Experience with version control, code review, CI, and software testing
Eligibility to complete the Government of Canada security clearance process
Legal authorization to work in Canada or the United States
Tactical knowledge of aircraft combat employment is strongly preferred, including BVR/WVR engagement, sensor and weapon employment, EW/survivability, or air battle management
Background as aircrew, a weapons/tactics instructor, an operational analyst, or in an equivalent test/training environment is a major asset
Experience in a test-and-evaluation or flight-test setting is nice to have
No defence background required

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive base salary
Company equity
Comprehensive health benefits
Additional equity granted based on impact
High-trust environment with short feedback loops and rapid iteration
Direct access to leadership
Equity and responsibility
Equity awarded to full time employees only