Senior Robotics SLAM Engineer Needed for Autonomous Construction-Site Rover

# Senior Robotics Engineer Needed for Autonomous Construction-Site Rover — ROS2, 2D or 3D LiDAR ## Project Overview We have already designed and built a mobile rover and are looking for an experienced robotics engineer or robotics team to develop and integrate its autonomous navigation system. The rover will operate inside active construction sites and perform a predefined inspection route every day. During each mission, it must navigate autonomously, avoid workers and obstacles, capture photos and videos at selected locations, and return safely to its starting position. The desired functionality is similar to LiDAR-based robotic vacuum cleaners, but adapted to the more challenging conditions of a construction site. We are open to solutions using either: * 2D LiDAR; * 3D LiDAR; * or a combination of LiDAR, cameras, IMU, wheel encoders, and other sensors. Applicants should recommend the most appropriate sensor and software architecture based on reliability, cost, implementation time, and the operating environment. ## Main Mission The rover should be able to: * Map the construction site. * Localize itself within the mapped environment. * Follow a predefined daily inspection route. * Navigate through a sequence of waypoints. * Detect and avoid static and moving obstacles. * Detect or safely react to workers moving around the rover. * Stop, wait, or replan when its route is blocked. * Capture photos and videos at predefined positions or intervals. * Associate collected media with timestamps and, where possible, map coordinates. * Complete the inspection mission autonomously. * Return to its original starting position or docking area. * Recover safely from common navigation failures. * Allow manual remote control when necessary. * Record logs for diagnostics and troubleshooting. ## Operating Environment The rover will operate in active construction sites, where conditions may include: * Workers and other moving people. * Temporary obstacles. * Construction materials and equipment. * Frequently changing site layouts. * Narrow passages. * Dust. * Changing lighting conditions. * Indoor, semi-indoor, or GPS-denied areas. * Uneven or unfinished surfaces. The initial implementation may begin in a controlled section of a construction site before being expanded to more complex operating conditions. ## Technology and Sensor Approach We have not made a final decision between 2D and 3D LiDAR. Applicants are encouraged to propose one of the following: * A cost-effective 2D LiDAR navigation solution. * A 3D LiDAR solution for improved perception of uneven terrain and obstacles at different heights. * A hybrid solution combining LiDAR, depth cameras, standard cameras, IMU, and wheel encoders. Your proposal should explain: * Whether you recommend 2D or 3D LiDAR. * Why your proposed approach is appropriate for a construction site. * The expected advantages and limitations. * The required hardware. * The approximate hardware cost. * The expected implementation complexity. * Whether the existing rover hardware is likely to be sufficient. We are open to ROS2 and Nav2-based solutions, as well as other proven robotics frameworks, provided the complete source code and documentation are delivered to us. ## Possible Technical Scope The project may include: * Assessment of the existing rover hardware and electronics. * ROS2 architecture and package development. * Motor-controller integration. * Wheel encoder and IMU integration. * Velocity and PID motor control. * Wheel odometry and sensor fusion. * URDF and TF configuration. * 2D or 3D LiDAR integration. * SLAM and map generation. * Localization using a saved map. * Nav2 configuration and tuning. * Global and local path planning. * Waypoint-based mission execution. * Dynamic obstacle avoidance. * Human detection or safe human-aware navigation. * Dynamic replanning. * Behavior Trees and recovery actions. * Camera integration. * Automated photo and video capture. * Mission scheduling. * Return-to-start or return-to-dock functionality. * ROS bag recording and diagnostic logging. * Simulation before real-world deployment. * Deployment on NVIDIA Jetson or another onboard computer. * Remote monitoring and basic operator controls. * Real-world testing and tuning. * Documentation and knowledge transfer. ## Required Experience We are looking for someone with proven hands-on experience in: * ROS2. * Nav2 or an equivalent autonomous-navigation framework. * SLAM and localization. * 2D and/or 3D LiDAR. * Physical autonomous mobile robots. * Differential-drive or skid-steer platforms. * Wheel odometry and IMU sensor fusion. * URDF and TF. * Embedded motor-control systems. * NVIDIA Jetson or similar onboard computers. * Real-world robot testing and debugging. * Obstacle avoidance and navigation recovery. Experience with any of the following is valuable: * slam_toolbox. * AMCL. * RTAB-Map. * Cartographer. * LIO-SAM or similar LiDAR-inertial systems. * Robot Localization. * Behavior Trees. * OpenCV. * Depth cameras. * Person detection. * Autonomous inspection robots. * Construction or industrial robotics. * Autonomous docking and charging. * Cloud monitoring and telemetry. ## Expected Deliverables The final deliverables should include: 1. Technical assessment of the existing rover. 2. Recommended 2D or 3D LiDAR architecture. 3. List of required sensors, components, and hardware changes. 4. Complete autonomy-system design. 5. Working ROS2 or equivalent software repository. 6. Manual teleoperation and emergency-stop functionality. 7. Reliable odometry and localization. 8. Mapping of the operating environment. 9. Autonomous route and waypoint navigation. 10. Obstacle and human avoidance. 11. Automated photo and video capture. 12. Return-to-start functionality. 13. Navigation recovery behaviours. 14. Mission and diagnostic logging. 15. Deployment on the physical rover. 16. Real-world construction-site testing. 17. Source-code handover. 18. Installation, operation, and troubleshooting documentation. 19. Final demonstration of the complete autonomous mission. 20. Technical handover and training. ## Target Acceptance Test The rover should demonstrate that it can: * Start from a defined location. * Localize itself within the mapped construction site. * Execute a predefined route without manual driving. * Reach selected photo and video capture points. * Safely react to people entering its path. * Avoid or navigate around temporary obstacles. * Replan when the original route is blocked. * Stop safely when navigation cannot continue. * Complete the inspection mission. * Return to its original starting position. * Produce logs that can be used to diagnose any failure. * Repeat the mission reliably during multiple test runs. The final quantitative acceptance criteria will be agreed upon with the selected engineer before implementation. ## Proposal Requirements Please submit a detailed proposal containing: 1. Your recommended technical approach. 2. Whether you recommend 2D LiDAR, 3D LiDAR, or a hybrid solution. 3. The reasons for your sensor recommendation. 4. A proposed software and hardware architecture. 5. A list of any additional hardware required. 6. Estimated hardware costs. 7. Your implementation timeline. 8. The estimated time required for: * Initial hardware assessment. * First autonomous demonstration. * Working MVP. * Construction-site testing. * Final stable delivery. 9. A milestone-based implementation plan. 10. Your financial offer for each milestone. 11. Your total estimated project cost. 12. Whether your offer is fixed-price or hourly. 13. Your weekly availability. 14. Any travel or on-site support requirements. 15. The level of remote support you can provide. 16. Examples of similar physical robots you have developed. 17. Videos, GitHub repositories, case studies, or technical documentation from previous projects. 18. A clear description of the parts you personally implemented. Please identify any technical risks or unknowns that could affect the price or timeline. ## Suggested Milestones Applicants may propose their own milestone structure. A possible structure is: ### Milestone 1 — Technical Assessment and Architecture * Review the existing rover. * Inspect motors, controllers, encoders, sensors, computing hardware, and communications. * Recommend a 2D or 3D LiDAR solution. * Produce the final implementation plan and hardware list. ### Milestone 2 — Base Robot Integration * Motor control. * Manual driving. * Encoders and IMU. * Odometry. * URDF and TF. * Emergency stop. * Data recording. ### Milestone 3 — Mapping and Localization * LiDAR integration. * SLAM. * Map creation. * Localization. * Initial testing in a controlled environment. ### Milestone 4 — Autonomous Navigation * Route and waypoint execution. * Obstacle avoidance. * Dynamic replanning. * Recovery behaviours. * Return-to-start functionality. ### Milestone 5 — Inspection and Media Capture * Camera integration. * Automated photo and video capture. * Timestamping and mission-data storage. * Complete daily inspection workflow. ### Milestone 6 — Construction-Site Testing and Handover * Real-world testing. * System tuning. * Reliability testing. * Documentation. * Source-code handover. * Operator training. ## Important This is a real-world robotics project, not a simulation-only assignment. Please do not apply if your experience is limited to university projects, tutorials, or Gazebo simulations without deployment on physical autonomous robots. We are looking for an engineer or team that can take responsibility for the complete implementation, testing, and delivery of a reliable autonomous rover. The project should begin with a paid technical assessment. After the assessment, the selected applicant should confirm the final project price, milestones, hardware requirements, and implementation timeline.