About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About The Role
At Forterra, we have been developing cutting-edge software and hardware for autonomous ground, air, and naval robotic systems since 2002. We specialize in developing solutions for DoD and commercial markets. We have a close-knit team of over 300 employees devoted to delivering the best robotics technologies to meet and exceed our customers' needs. Our systems combine advanced control systems, autonomous mobility, perception, and behavior generation software with innovative and sophisticated mechanical and electrical hardware. We have a long history of successful program execution and have hardware and software on commercial vehicles around the world and some of the highest visibility DoD ground robotics programs.

Building on our past success with deploying robotic systems for both military and commercial applications, we are currently expanding operations and looking for new team members who want to make meaningful contributions in the field of autonomous systems, with a focus on establishing a strong vehicle controls team to accelerate our program execution and drive strategic developments. If you think you would be a good fit for our team, we would love to hear from you.

What You'll Do:

• Designing and implementing low-level and mid-level control system software for use on unmanned ground vehicles systems
• Development and ownership of controls system across all vehicle platforms, from requirements to implementation.
• Develop reference hardware and software architecture for low level control systems and adapt to multiple vehicle platforms
• Working alongside a team of systems, electrical, and mechanical engineers to develop and select control system hardware
• Working alongside motion planning, localization, perception, and other software teams to ensure excellent full-stack autonomous system performance
• Supporting local and field testing of prototype and deployment systems
• Generating software documentation packages
• Working with Systems and test engineering teams to generate requirements and qualification test plans and data collection methods
• Working with Vehicle Platform Leads and Vice Presidents to establish and manage schedules, costs, and budgets
• Writing proposals, white papers, and reports
• Guide the implementation of requirements from system safety and cybersecurity for the system
• Adapt and refine Forterra’s development processes for low level control software.

What We're Looking For:

• Mission-First Mindset - We put the needs of the mission and our customers first and understand that the US and its allies have no preordained right to victory in any future conflict.
• Ownership Mentality - We’re looking for owners; those who have a natural bias to assume responsibility, a healthy dose of skepticism, and contribute to a culture of performance.
• Technical Aptitude and Intellectual Curiosity - We are first and foremost a technology company, working at the leading edge of capabilities like machine learning, autonomy, distributed networking, and multi-modal sensor fusion.
• Structured Thinker and Problem Solver - Leading technical programs requires clear communication and well-thought-out plans. A solution-driven approach, the ability to distill complexity into its essential, digestible components, and the ability to supervise execution are critical to ensure mission success.

What We Need:

• Strong C/C++, Matlab programming skills
• Extensive knowledge of ground vehicle dynamics.
• Strong background in model-based software development, such as Simulink or SCADE
• Extensive knowledge of linear and nonlinear control strategies
• Experience reading schematics and basic electronics, as well as understanding hardware documentation
• Knowledge of communication and signal protocols such as CAN, CAN/FD, Ethernet, I2C, SPI, UART, RS232, RS-485, and interfacing with them.
• Familiarity with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), such as VXWorks, Green Hills Integrity, QNX, AutoSAR or FreeRTOS.
• B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 7+ years of control and motion planning experience in a field with tightly coupled electrical, mechanical, and software components, such as Robotics, Automation, or Aerospace.
• Prior experience developing motion control systems that have been used in a ground-vehicle system, or an advanced research prototype (end-to-end, full lifecycle development preferred)
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

What We Love to See:

• 10+ years of control and motion planning experience in a field with tightly coupled electrical, mechanical, and software components, such as Robotics, Automation, or Aerospace.
• Experience with safety-critical system/software development practices, such as those laid out in ISO26262, IEC-61508, or the JSSEH/MIl-STD-882.
• M.S. degree in Engineering or Computer Science Discipline
• Familiarity with other robotic software areas, including path/trajectory planning, navigation/localization, perception sensing, user interface design.
• Experience using dynamic simulation software for system development and test
• Knowledge of robotic manipulators and kinematic/dynamic planning and control
• Familiarity programming for microcontrollers such as ST Micro, Infineon Aurix, TI, or NXP S32 series.
• Knowledge of Robot Operating System (ROS/ROS2)
• Experience working closely with a team of multi-disciplinary engineers (Software, Electrical, Systems)
• Experience with System and Subsystem Requirement/Specification Generation
• Experience with Verification and Validation Test Procedure generation and execution
• Professional or personal interest/experience in automotive racing, off-roading, or remote-control vehicles

US Salary Range
 $140,000-$170,000
 

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. 
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.  

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.