Senior Robotics Engineer, Autonomous Systems

Salary: $105,000 - 290,000 per year Requirements:

• A bachelors degree in robotics, mechanical, electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering, computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience developing, integrating, testing, or fielding complex engineering systems.
• Experience leading technical teams through system design, development, prototyping, integration, and testing.
• Experience developing and integrating robotic or autonomous systems, embedded systems, or other mission-critical technologies.
• Experience with system-level trade studies, technical risk management, and performance analysis.
• Strong technical communication skills, including experience presenting technical information to sponsors and senior leaders.
• Programming experience in Python, C++, or similar languages.
• Ability to obtain an interim Top Secret clearance by the start date and ultimately obtain a TS/SCI clearance. Applicants must meet government requirements for access to classified information, including U.S. citizenship.
• Preferred: A masters degree or Ph.D. in robotics, systems engineering, electrical or mechanical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Preferred: Experience as a technical lead, chief engineer, principal investigator, or project manager on advanced technology programs.
• Preferred: Demonstrated leadership of systems engineering work, including requirements development, architecture definition, integration, verification, validation, and transition.
• Preferred: Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering tools and methods, including SysML and Digital Engineering practices.
• Preferred: Experience developing autonomous systems, robotic platforms, uncrewed aerial or ground vehicles, maritime systems, or distributed autonomous systems.
• Preferred: Expertise in perception, SLAM, planning, controls, AI/ML, human-machine teaming, or multi-agent autonomy.

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through architecture, requirements development, integration, testing, and transition of advanced autonomous systems.
• Act as a technical lead, chief engineer, or senior systems engineer on autonomy-focused development projects.
• Direct architecture development, interface definition, requirements allocation, and technical baseline management across hardware, software, sensing, communications, and autonomy subsystems.
• Conduct and oversee technical trade studies, design reviews, risk assessments, and performance analyses to inform program decisions.
• Lead verification, validation, and testing, including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop activities, laboratory integration, and field experiments.
• Guide development of autonomy capabilities such as perception, planning, navigation, controls, decision-making, and multi-agent coordination.
• Work with government sponsors, performers, and other stakeholders to define technical objectives, communicate progress, and shape future program direction.
• Mentor junior engineers and researchers in systems engineering, robotics, and autonomy development.
• Contribute to proposal development, strategic planning, and business development to grow our groups technical portfolio.

• AI
• Embedded
• Hardware
• Support
• Project Manager
• Python
• Robotics
• Security
• LESS

More:

We are seeking a Senior Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer for our Tailored Autonomous Systems Group (QPJ) at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). Our team develops compact, low-size, weight, and power robotic platforms and autonomy solutions for challenging, dynamic environments. In this senior role, you will help shape our robotics and autonomy portfolio and advance capabilities for critical national security missions. APL works on important defense, security, space, and science challenges and offers a welcoming, collaborative culture, generous benefits, education assistance, strong retirement contributions, and support for work/life balance. Our campus is in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Eligible staff benefits include retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and professional training and development. The posted annual pay range is $105,000–$290,000; compensation may vary based on relevant factors, and additional compensation or relocation benefits may be available. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

last updated 40 week of 2026