Navigation Lead

About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

Forterra is seeking a Navigation Lead to lead the design, development, and deployment of robust localization systems for autonomous vehiclesoperatingin complex, real-world environments. This role will own the technical direction and execution of GNSS/INS-based localization and state estimation, while building and leading a high-performing engineering team. 

The ideal candidate combines deep hands-onexpertisein state estimation and sensor fusion with proven experience leading engineers, setting technical vision, and delivering production-ready autonomy software.

What you'll do

• Technical Leadership & Strategy 

• • Own the technical vision and roadmap for localization and state estimation across Forterra’s autonomous systems  

• • Architect and guide the development of GNSS/INS-based localization systems using advanced state estimation and sensor fusion techniques  

• • Drive algorithmic choices for Kalman filtering, non-linear optimization, sensor calibration, and error modeling  

• • Ensure localization solutions are robust, scalable, and performant across diverse vehicle platforms and operating environments  

• Team Leadership & Execution  

• • Build, mentor, and lead a team of state estimation and localization engineers  

• • Providetechnical guidance, code and design reviews, and career development for team members  

• • Set clear goals, priorities, and success metrics for the localization team  

• • Balance hands-on technical contribution with delegation and coaching  

• Cross-Functional Collaboration  

• • Partner closely with autonomy,perception, hardware, and vehicle integration teams to define system requirements and interfaces  

• • Translate product and vehicle requirements into executable technical plans  

• • Collaborate with testing and operations teams tovalidatelocalization performance in simulation, data playback, and on-vehicle testing  

• Validation & Deployment  

• • Oversee testing and evaluation of localization software in simulation, log replay, and real-world vehicle deployments  

• • Support on-site vehicle testing as needed to debug and improve system performance  

• • Ensure localization systems meet reliability, safety, and performance targets for production use

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Engineering or a related field 

• 8+ years of relevant experience in state estimation, localization, or navigation systems  

• 3+ years of experience leading or mentoring engineers (formal or informal)  

• Deepexpertisein Kalman filtering (EKF, UKF, etc.) and real-time state estimation techniques (ledproduct development) 

• Strong background in non-linear optimization (e.g., gradient descent, Levenberg-Marquardt)  

• Strong foundationin linear algebra and computational mathematics  

• Hands-on experience with GNSS/IMU/INS systems, sensor fusion, calibration, and error modeling

• Proficiencyin C++ (some Python,Matlab) 

• Proven ability to design and deliver complex, production-quality software systems 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing localization and navigation systems for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles 
• Experience across multiple vehicle types (e.g., large trucks, off-road vehicles, skidsteers) (aerospace is also OK, but prefer ground vehicles) 
• Familiarity with industry-standard navigation software, GNSS hardware, and tooling  
• Experience scaling algorithms from research to real-world deployment  
• Strong communicationskills and comfort working across hardware and software teams 

US Salary Range
 $180,000 - $300,000

Location

On-site in Clarksburg, MD or Arlington, VA

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.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.   

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. 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 applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice. 

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