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Manager- Autonomous Systems

Date: 15 Oct 2026

Location: Pune

Company: Mahindra Defence Systems Limited

Designation: Manager - Autonomous Software

Function - Autonomous Systems / Robotics Software

Reporting to - DGM - Autonomous Systems

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end autonomous software workstream, from requirements decomposition and architecture through implementation, integration, verification, field trials and release.
• Define modular software architecture for mission planning, behaviour management, path planning, collision and obstacle avoidance, localisation, perception, health monitoring, failsafe handling and operator interaction.
• Lead development using ROS/ROS2, C++ and suitable middleware; establish coding standards, interfaces, reusable components, configuration management and documentation practices.
• Guide the design and tuning of behaviour trees, planners, navigation stacks, costmaps, map servers and decision logic for complex and degraded operating environments.
• Integrate inputs from INS, DVL, GNSS, depth sensors, cameras, imaging sonar, obstacle-avoidance sonar and other payloads through robust sensor-fusion and state-estimation interfaces.
• Plan and govern Model/Software/Hardware-in-the-Loop testing, simulator-based validation, lab integration, harbour trials and sea trials; ensure traceability from requirement to evidence.
• Coordinate closely with controls, embedded, electrical, mechanical, sonar, payload, systems engineering and operations teams to resolve cross-functional issues.
• Lead technical reviews, design reviews, sprint/milestone planning, risk management, defect closure, root-cause analysis and release readiness.
• Mentor engineers, allocate work, assess capability gaps, participate in recruitment and build a delivery-focused autonomous software team.
• Support technical proposals, customer demonstrations, technical discussions and partner engagement while protecting programme confidentiality and intellectual property.

Technical Scope

• Mission sequencing, behaviour trees, supervisory autonomy, contingency handling, rules and safety states.
• Local/global planning, obstacle avoidance, route optimisation, localisation, mapping and COLREG-aware concepts for surface systems.
• Camera/sonar processing interfaces, detection and tracking integration, sensor fusion and confidence-aware decision inputs.
• Gazebo or equivalent environments, SIL/HIL, scenario libraries, regression testing, test automation and trial evidence.
• ROS2/ROS, C++, Git, CI/CD, APIs/ICDs, cybersecurity-aware design, logging, diagnostics and lifecycle documentation.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace, Marine Engineering or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in autonomous robotics or unmanned systems, including at least 2 years in technical leadership, project leadership or team management.
• Demonstrated delivery experience in autonomy, navigation, SLAM, path planning, obstacle avoidance, perception or sensor-fusion software.
• Strong hands-on proficiency in C++ and ROS2/ROS; working knowledge of Python, Linux, OpenCV, Git, issue tracking and modern software-development practices.
• Experience integrating software with real robotic hardware and conducting structured field trials. Marine robotics, AUV, XLAUV or ASV experience is strongly preferred.
• Ability to convert operational requirements into architecture, software requirements, interface definitions, test cases and acceptance evidence.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and engaging with defence, government, research or industrial customers is desirable.

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