This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and thus requires that such institutions be the recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
Position Description:
NIST is seeking a candidate to work on a project related to evaluating automotive perception sensors. The project requires a candidate with multidisciplinary skills who will execute most of the following tasks with guidance from the project leader.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Acquire data from automotive perception sensors such as lidars, radars, and cameras.
- Work with software relevant to each of the sensors and acquire data using ROS2 on Ubuntu/Linux.
- Design and execute sensor test procedures in various static and dynamic environments.
- Design test artifacts and setups using CAD software (SolidWorks) and send them for fabrication.
- Design fixtures, mounting apparatus, etc. using 80-20 extrusions.
- Collecting data with ground truth systems (laser trackers, etc.); training will be given if no experience is required.
- Perform market research on products, equipment, and sensors relevant to the project and compile information for purchases.
- Conducting and documenting experiments, analyzing data, and writing reports.
- Present work to the team, articulate ideas and seek feedback.
Desired Qualifications
- MS or BS in the following engineering fields: Electrical engineering, Mechanical engineering, Computer engineering, Robotics). Undergraduate students with relevant experience will also be considered for part-time appointments.
- Software and OS:
- ROS, ROS2, C, C++, Python - relevant to compile modules for ROS2.
- Be able to work on both Linux and Windows
- MATLAB and Python programming for exploratory data analysis and statistics
- Experience with CAD software for making parts/fixtures for the setup
- Experience with Version control software and workflow (Git/Github/Gitlab)
- Other relevant experience:
- Experience in working with 3D point cloud data.
- Experience in measurement, testing, and evaluation of hardware and sensors.
- Hands-on work experience with tools, 80-20 extrusions
- Report writing and making presentations with relevant figures/illustrations/data.
- Strong oral and written communication skills that convey ideas and work in an efficient manner.
- Good documentation of the work that enables reproduction of the tests and results.
- Experience with various collaboration tools such as Slack, MS Teams, Google suite.
- Other desired skills:
- Be able to use in-house machining equipment (after training) for minor modifications
- Familiarity with Raspberry Pis and Arduino controllers (or alternatives)
Period of performance: 6 months from the start date.
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.