Marine Robotics Engineer

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics (CMAR) seeks a Marine Robotics Engineer to design, develop, test, and deploy electrical, embedded, and software systems for autonomous underwater vehicles and related marine robotics platforms.

You will work with faculty, senior engineering and research personnel, students, and collaborators on technically challenging assignments, applying engineering principles to deliver validated solutions while ensuring safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent training/experience.
• Experience with electrical, embedded, or robotic systems from coursework or internships.
• Ability to develop/test software using Python, C++, or MATLAB.
• Ability to interpret requirements, document work, and communicate results in a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to follow lab safety rules and work on technical projects.
• U.S. citizenship and potential security clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, and deploy electrical, embedded, and software systems for AUVs and marine platforms.
• Test and validate system designs with faculty, staff, students, and collaborators.
• Perform system-level integration including sensors, actuators, and onboard compute.
• Translate project requirements into prototypes and validated technical solutions.

Skills

Python

C++

MATLAB

ROS/ROS2

Linux

Git

Embedded firmware

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, robotics, computer science, or closely related field

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Linux

Git

Embedded firmware development

Job description

Job Description

The Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics (CMAR) at Virginia Tech seeks a Marine Robotics Engineer to design, develop, integrate, test, and deploy electrical, embedded, and software systems for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and related marine robotic platforms supporting sponsored engineering research. The position applies engineering principles to translate project requirements into assigned system designs, prototypes, and validated technical solutions. Working with faculty, senior engineering and research personnel, students, and project collaborators, the engineer will carry out defined technical assignments with professional judgment and appropriate review of designs, testing, and safety-critical decisions. Work includes embedded electronics, firmware, power and communications, sensors, actuators, onboard computing, robotic software, and system-level integration. The position is a restricted staff appointment contingent upon continued funding and satisfactory performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, robotics, computer science, or a closely related field, and/or an equivalent level of training and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical, embedded, or robotic systems gained through coursework, capstone projects, undergraduate research, internships, or employment.
• History of working ability to develop, test, or troubleshoot software using a programming language such as Python, C++, or MATLAB, demonstrated through academic or applied projects.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret technical requirements, document engineering work, analyze test results, and communicate findings within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to follow laboratory and field safety requirements and work collaboratively on technical projects.
• This position requires eligibility to access and handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), which requires U.S. citizenship. The position may also require the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ROS/ROS2, Linux, Git, or embedded firmware development.
• Experience integrating sensors, actuators, motor controllers, onboard computers, or communications interfaces.
• Experience with marine robotic platforms, autonomous systems, field testing, or challenging-environment robotics.
• Experience with PCB design, autonomy, perception, localization, or system-level verification.

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$80,000-$105,000, Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

November 25, 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim(That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Cole Tankersleyat [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.