Lead Robotics & Autonomy Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD seeks a Senior Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership across design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced robotic and autonomous systems for national security missions.

You will define architectures, guide technical execution, mentor engineers, and help transition capabilities into operations, collaborating with sponsors and researchers to advance MBSE, perception, planning, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Aerospace, CS, or related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in complex engineering systems.
• Experience leading technical teams through design, prototyping, integration and test.
• Experience with robotic/autonomous systems and mission-critical technologies.
• System-level trade studies, risk management, and performance analyses.
• Strong technical communication to sponsors and leadership.
• Proficiency in Python or C++.
• Eligibility for interim Top Secret clearance and TS/SCI clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through architecture, requirements, integration, testing, and transition for autonomous systems.
• Serve as technical lead or senior systems engineer on autonomy-focused development efforts.
• Lead architecture development, interface definition, and baseline management across subsystems.
• Conduct trade studies, design reviews, risk assessments, and performance analyses.
• Lead verification, validation, and testing including simulation, HWIL, and field experiments.
• Guide development of perception, planning, navigation, controls, decision-making, and multi-agent autonomy.
• Interface with sponsors and stakeholders to define objectives and communicate progress.
• Mentor junior engineers in systems engineering, robotics, and autonomy development.
• Support proposals, strategic planning, and business development.

Skills

Python

C++

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Robotics or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

MBSE

SysML

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD seeks a Senior Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership across design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced robotic and autonomous systems for national security missions.

You will define architectures, guide technical execution, mentor engineers, and help transition capabilities into operations, collaborating with sponsors and researchers to advance MBSE, perception, planning, and