Robotics Autonomy Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Professional development

Tuition assistance

Work-life programs

Dependent care

Job summary

Booz Allen Hamilton is seeking a Robotics Autonomy Engineer to design, develop, and deploy autonomous maritime robotics systems. You will work across perception, navigation, and control stacks, collaborating with systems engineers, hardware leads, and mission stakeholders to deliver robust sensing, localization, planning and execution capabilities.

The role requires 3+ years in robotics or systems engineering for hardware and sensors, experience with ROS/ROS2, C++ or Python, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, EE, Computer Engineering or Robotics Engineering.
• Experience with ROS/ROS2 for sensor integration and system orchestration.
• Proficiency in C++ or Python for real-time robotics apps.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and integrate robotic systems for maritime applications.
• Collaborate with systems engineers and hardware leads across perception, navigation and control.
• Validate software and hardware modules from prototyping to field testing.

Skills

Robotics experience

ROS/ROS2

C++/Python

State estimation

SLAM/Perception

Embedded Linux

CI/CD tooling

Communication skills

Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE/Robotics

Tools

Docker

Git

Job description

Robotics Autonomy Engineer

We are a robotics-focused engineering team at the intersection of autonomy, embedded systems, and the maritime domain. Our mission is to design, develop, and deploy advanced robotic platforms that operate in complex, contested, and unstructured ocean environments. We build perception, navigation, and control solutions for unmanned surface vessels (USVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and multi-agent maritime systems, enabling robust robotic capabilities that address real-world operational challenges at sea. Our work spans the full robotics stack—from hardware integration and sensor fusion to software architecture, field experimentation, and mission execution—with a rigorous focus on safety, reliability, and performance in dynamic maritime conditions. The role will contribute to the design, development, and integration of robotic systems for maritime applications. The candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team to build and validate software and hardware modules across the perception, navigation, and control stack—translating operational requirements into deployable robotic solutions. They will participate in the full development lifecycle, from architecture and prototyping through integration, field testing, and iterative refinement, collaborating closely with systems engineers, hardware leads, and mission stakeholders.

You Have:

• 3+ years of experience with robotics or systems engineering for equipment hardware, including circuits or sensors
• Experience with Robot Operating Systems, including ROS or ROS 2, for sensor integration, communication, and system orchestration
• Experience in C++ or Python for real-time robotics applications
• Knowledge of autonomous systems concepts such as state estimation, localization, path planning, and feedback control
• Knowledge of perception techniques including sensor fusion, object detection, and environmental mapping, such as SLAM, LiDAR, camera, or sonar
• Ability to develop and maintain software for embedded Linux systems, including version control, CI/CD, packaging, containerization, and documentation
• Ability to communicate complex technical topics effectively to a variety of audiences in written and verbal formats
• Ability to obtain a Secret clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in CS, EE, Computer Engineering, or Robotics Engineering

Nice If You Have:

• Experience developing architectures and algorithms for multi-agent, distributed collaborative autonomy
• Experience with Docker image development, container deployment, and Git-based version control strategies
• Experience with multi-agent coordination, swarm behaviors, collaborative autonomy frameworks, and simulation environments such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or marine-specific simulators, such as VRX, or UUV Simulator
• Experience with maritime robotic platforms such as unmanned surface vessels (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), or unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs)
• Knowledge of military strategy, operations, and tactics relevant to maritime autonomy
• Knowledge of maritime-specific sensing modalities including sonar/acoustic, radar, GPS/INS, and DVL, such as Doppler Velocity Log
• Ability to lead a technical team in strategy, project planning, and project execution
• Ability to professionally interact with clients to understand their needs, recommend courses of action, and present or demonstrate results
• Master’s degree in CS or Engineering preferred; Doctorate degree in CS or Engineering a plus

Compensation

• At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being.
• Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care.
• Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values.
• Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs.
• Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits.
• We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.
• Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements.
• The projected compensation range for this position is $77,600.00 to $176,000.00 (annualized USD).
• The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen’s total compensation package for employees.
• This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Identity Statement

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.

Work Model

Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.

Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility.

Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

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About Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen is an advanced technology company delivering outcomes with speed for America’s most critical defense, civil, and national security priorities. We build technology solutions using AI, cyber, and other cutting‑edge technologies to advance and protect the nation and its citizens. By focusing on outcomes, we enable our people, clients, and their missions to succeed—accelerating the nation to realize our purpose: Empower People to Change the World®.