Job description

Your new company

Hays Defence Technology is seeking an experienced AI Behaviour Developer / Autonomous Systems Engineer to join a high-profile Defence research and capability development program through consultancy engagement.

This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation autonomous systems and electronic warfare simulation capabilities, working within a multidisciplinary team focused on advanced modelling, human-autonomy teaming, AI decision-making, and mission simulation.

Your new role

You will be responsible for developing and enhancing autonomous agent behaviours within an established modelling and simulation environment used to support Defence capability research and experimentation.

Working alongside specialists in software engineering, data analytics, human factors, systems integration, and simulation, you will play a key role in designing, implementing, testing and validating autonomous behaviours for teams of platforms operating in complex simulated environments.

What you'll need to succeed

• Develop and enhance autonomous agent behaviours and decision-making models

• Design and implement behaviour trees, BDI architectures, state machines, or similar autonomy frameworks

• Develop software components using Python, C++, or related programming languages

• Integrate autonomous behaviours into existing simulation and mission-planning environments

• Support autonomous mission execution, task allocation and multi-platform coordination

• Conduct testing, validation and quality assurance activities

• Develop technical documentation and contribute to knowledge transfer activities

• Participate in collaborative research activities with domestic and international stakeholders

What you'll get in return

• NV1 clearance obtained

• Proven experience developing autonomous agent behaviours or AI decision-making systems

• Strong knowledge of behaviour trees, BDI models, state machines, planning systems or related autonomy frameworks

• Software development experience using Python, C++, or similar languages

• Experience designing robust, explainable and verifiable AI behaviours

• Strong testing, debugging and validation skills

• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary technical teams

• Excellent communication and documentation skills

• Experience working with modelling and simulation environments

• Knowledge of autonomous systems, robotics or unmanned platforms

• Understanding of aerospace systems, aircraft operations or avionics

• Exposure to Electronic Warfare (EW), Electronic Support (ES) or Electronic Attack (EA) concepts

• Defence, research, or national security sector experience

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV to , or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.