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Engineer (f/m/d) Scalable open-set semantic mapping for the autonomy of robots
Job Description
Req ID:  4850
Place of work:  Oberpfaffenhofen
Starting date:  01.06.2026
Career level:  Graduates
Type of employment:  Part time, Full-time
Duration of contract:  3 Jahre

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 12,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

The Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics develops robots that enable humans to interact with the environment more efficiently, effectively and safely. The robots are designed to work in environments that are inaccessible or dangerous for humans, but also to support and relieve people at work and in everyday life.

 

What to expect

The Perception and Cognition department is concerned with providing robotic systems with the ability of visual perception and mastering the associated cognitive tasks. Perception and cognition are therefore elementary components for both teleoperated assistance and autonomous robot systems, as they make reactive behaviour, attention control and situation interpretation possible in the first place. One fundamental capability is depth estimation from stereo images, which is already being used in a variety of ways at the institute.

 

Your tasks

  • development of algorithms for the creation of scalable, hybrid-semantic environment maps
  • methodical embedding of high-dimensional embeddings from open-set VLMs into spatial representations
  • optimisation of the spatial and temporal scalability of the mapping approaches for long-term autonomy
  • hardware-oriented implementation and integration of the software in C++ and Python using ROS 2
  • validation and scientific evaluation of the developed approaches through field tests on mobile robot platforms such as LRU, SHERP or TRP
  • preparation and publication of research results for internationally renowned conferences and journals such as RSS, ICRA and IROS
  • ensuring the operational readiness of the robot systems
     

Your profile

  • completed scientific university degree (Master's/University Diploma) in engineering (e.g. in the field of engineering, robotics), computer science or other degree programmes relevant to the job
  • sound experience in development with C++/Python and familiarity with the ROS 2 ecosystem
  • relevant experience with SLAM algorithms (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) and their implementation within a ROS 2 framework
  • confident handling of version management tools (e.g. Git) and CI/CD pipelines
  • strong problem-solving skills at the interface between hardware and software
  • fluency in written and spoken English
  • ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams

 

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

 

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 4850) please contact:

 

Prof. Dr. Rudolph Triebel 
Tel.: +49 8153 28 4289 
Apply now