Lead Autonomy Engineer

Darwin Recruitment; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 159,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus 15% of base salary

Equity / Stock options

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Lead Autonomy Engineer for a U.S. defense partner developing uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). Florida-based, the role requires U.S. citizenship and security clearance eligibility, and focuses on leading the integration of autonomous software, robotics, AI, and navigation with real-world maritime platforms.

The package includes a base salary of $159,000–$195,000, plus a 15% annual bonus and stock options, with travel for testing and customer engagements as needed.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in systems engineering, especially autonomy systems.
• Experience integrating sophisticated hardware and software systems.
• Strong understanding of sensors, navigation, controls, and autonomous system architectures.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering efforts from concept through deployment.
• A passion for solving engineering problems that aren’t yet tackled.

Responsibilities

• Lead the integration and evolution of autonomous technologies, bridging software, robotics, AI, navigation systems and real-world maritime platforms.
• Collaborate to ensure seamless interoperability between hardware and software across complex systems.
• Drive architecture decisions and technical direction for autonomous maritime solutions.

Job description

Lead Autonomy Engineer – Shape the Future of Autonomous Maritime Technology

Florida | U.S. Citizenship Required | Security Clearance Eligible

This isn’t another engineering job.

It’s an opportunity to become one of the engineers who defines the future of autonomous warfare.

We’re partnering with an innovative U.S. defense technology company that’s building next-generation Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) designed to transform how maritime missions are executed. They’re searching for a Lead Autonomy Engineer who wants to do more than improve existing products—they want to create technology that doesn’t yet exist.

If you’ve ever wanted to look back in ten years and say, “I helped build that,” this is the kind of opportunity that comes along only a handful of times in a career.

What You’ll Own

You’ll lead the integration and evolution of advanced autonomous technologies, bridging cutting-edge software, robotics, AI, navigation systems, and real-world maritime platforms.

What We’re Looking For

You’ll likely bring:

• 7+ years of experience in systems engineering, especially autonomy systems.
• Proven expertise integrating sophisticated hardware and software systems.
• Strong understanding of sensors, navigation, controls, and autonomous system architectures.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering efforts from concept through deployment.
• A passion for solving engineering problems that most organisations haven’t even started tackling.

You’ll Really Stand Out If You Have

• Maritime autonomy or unmanned vessel experience.
• Naval, defense, aerospace, or mission-critical engineering experience.
• AI/ML experience focused on autonomous decision-making.
• Sensor fusion and perception systems expertise.
• Experience working within highly regulated defense environments.

Must Have

• U.S. Citizenship is essential.
• Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance.
• Florida-based role with occasional travel to support testing, demonstrations, and customer engagements.

Package Includes

• Base Salary: $159,000 – $195,000 (experience dependant)
• Annual Performance Bonus: 15% of base salary
• Equity / Stock Options: Share directly in the company’s long-term success and future growth.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Nikyle Maipath