Autonomous Subsea Robotics Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) invites applications for an early-career Subsea Robotics Engineer in the Maritime Robotics Group. You will develop software for autonomous underwater vehicles, ROS 2-based systems, and work across robotics, software, mechanical, electrical, and ocean engineering disciplines.

This role emphasizes simulation, controls, navigation, and autonomy, with lab, pool, and at-sea testing. A Ph.D.

Qualifications

• PhD in robotics or related field required.
• Experience with ROS 2 and Linux software development.
• Strong Python and C++ programming skills.
• Experience with dynamic systems, controls, and autonomy.
• Familiarity with Git-based version control, debugging and testing.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and obtain security clearance.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA; transcripts may be requested.

Responsibilities

• Develop robotics software for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and subsea systems using ROS 2.
• Design, implement, and maintain modular software in C++ and Python on Linux.
• Develop and integrate dynamics, controls, guidance, navigation, and autonomy algorithms.
• Build high-fidelity simulation environments and modeling tools to support development and mission planning.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, and vehicle subsystems into robust software architectures.
• Evaluate vehicle performance through simulation, lab testing, and field experiments.
• Support integration and testing in lab, pool, and at-sea environments.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to transition software to operational systems.

Skills

ROS 2

Linux

Python

C++

Autonomous systems

Git-based version control

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Robotics or related field

Tools

Gazebo

Ignition

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) invites applications for an early-career Subsea Robotics Engineer in the Maritime Robotics Group. You will develop software for autonomous underwater vehicles, ROS 2-based systems, and work across robotics, software, mechanical, electrical, and ocean engineering disciplines.

This role emphasizes simulation, controls, navigation, and autonomy, with lab, pool, and at-sea testing. A Ph.D.