Aerial Robotics Researcher: Control Algorithms, Autonomy and Multi-platform Coordination

• You will participate in high-level technological projects in an applied research environment focused on technology transfer and real impact.
• You will work closely with multidisciplinary experts (structures, propulsion, perception, systems, AI, coordination) to create new solutions.
• Access to laboratories and flight and integration infrastructures (indoor/outdoor environments, test benches, control centres) to move from simulation to reality.
• You will have the opportunity to work in a team with great prospects and a national leader in the field, in a multicultural, dynamic and enriching environment.
• Professional development opportunities in flagship projects that respond to future challenges (aerial mobility, autonomy). Build a solid professional career.
• Collaborate with high-level regional, national and international research groups, especially European ones, and with companies in the IAM ecosystem.
• You will have work-life balance measures available.

• Qualification: Industrial Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or related fields with knowledge of control or robotics.
• Computing: Python, Git, C++, Linux, ROS and/or ROS 2, Matlab/Simulink (or other relevant programming languages). Experience with Docker will be valued.
• Languages: Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Experience in one of these topics:
  • Development of conventional and advanced control algorithms (PID, robust, predictive MPC, LQR...) and implementation in real applications.
  • Simulation and development of controllers with rapid prototyping (SiL, HiL) on real-time platforms, Pixhawk, FPGA, DSP, Arduino or equivalents.
  • Plant modeling with complex and non-linear dynamics, and application of estimation and control theories.
  • Autonomous navigation, sensor fusion, SLAM/VIO or other localization techniques (GNSS-denied or degraded scenarios).
  • Multi-robot / multi-UAV coordination (formation, swarming, collaborative planning).
  • Interaction of aerial robots with the environment (inspection, contact, aerial manipulation or operations close to surfaces/infrastructure).
  • Robotics projects (aerial or mobile) with experimental deployment.
  • Optimization formulations and techniques (convexity, optimal control/MPC, solvers) applied to control, planning, or system tuning.

And, above all, teamwork skills, creativity, a resourceful attitude and enthusiasm for taking on new challenges.

• Experience in the industrial sector and/or entrepreneurial experience will be positively valued, with the ability to translate theoretical solutions into real application environments.
• Prior training in advanced control algorithms (at Master's level or similar) including traditional and machine learning-based strategies.
• Holding a PhD, academic publications or a clear research interest, with a willingness to publish and take results to demonstrators and market transfer.
• Willingness to train in and rigorously use generative AI assistants for development (Cursor, Copilot, etc.), with technical judgement and critical review of the results.
• Knowledge of PX4 firmware and control architecture or other RTOS.

At TECNALIA we want to strengthen our Innovative Air Mobility Lab team, whose mission is to solve real problems of the Low Altitude Economy through the development of advanced aerial vehicles and ground-air infrastructure.

Within this team we devise and develop new aircraft architectures, aerial robotics systems and ground-air infrastructure, addressing conceptualisation, sizing, design and mechanical calculation, manufacturing, integration and the development of software layers: control, autonomy, perception and coordination, moving from the individual vehicle to the fleet and airspace.

TECNALIA is an applied research center: we research, analyze, and expand the state of the art, but everything we develop must reach the market through technology transfer, prototypes, and real products that generate impact in companies and in society.

To this end, we are looking for a person oriented towards the development of innovative products and R&D projects in the field of flight control, applying said laws to aerial platforms with physical interaction with the environment, autonomous navigation and coordination between vehicles (swarming, airspace management).

If you are a proactive, responsible and resourceful person, with the ability to adapt to new projects and you enjoy teamwork.

If you feel an interest in applied research and in transferring the technology that you develop yourself to companies... Keep reading...!

The vacant position to be filled belongs to Tecnalia's Mobility business area, which develops multi-platform planning and coordination solutions, autonomy, perception and decision-making algorithms, as well as hardware (autopilots, power electronics, etc.) for mobile platforms on land, sea and air. This position focuses on the aeronautical field; the selected person will collaborate on aerospace and industrially relevant projects at the cutting edge of current technology.

A flexible profile is sought, unafraid to train in various topics and to collaborate in the development and implementation of advanced algorithms in: flight dynamics and control, estimation and perception, autonomous navigation (incl. degraded GNSS), physical interaction with the environment, aerial robotics, and multi-platform coordination (command and control centres).

• Contribution to the ideation of aircraft, aerial robots and systemic solutions (vehicle + fleet + ground-air infrastructure).
• Flight control and estimation: plant modelling, control laws, gain tuning, stability and performance; implementation on autonomous and piloted vehicles.
• Autonomous navigation, multi-sensor estimation (fusion, uncertainty, mission continuity), including GNSS-denied or degraded scenarios.
• Inter-vehicle coordination: formation/swarming algorithms, relative positioning and support for airspace management and command and control (C2).
• Aerial robotics and interaction with the environment (active inspection, contact, aerial manipulation or other forms of physical interaction).
• Software validation SiL, HiL, code evaluation on embedded platforms. Algorithm validation in simulation, integration into laboratory prototypes and outdoor flight experimental campaigns.
• Scientific and technical documentation: contributing to publications, reports and deliverables, always keeping the focus on ensuring results are transferable to industrial partners and to the final product.
• Communication of technical and scientific results in project meetings with consortium partners and clients; presentation of progress, problem analysis and proposal of solutions in national and international collaborative environments.