Robotics & Autonomy Engineer for Mission-Tailored Systems

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer to shape mission-tailored autonomous platforms. You will contribute to perception, planning, navigation, and multi‑agent control across hardware and software in defense contexts.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sensing, decision‑making, and coordinated action in complex environments, with opportunities to lead technical tasks and advance through IRAD activities.

Qualifications

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical or related fields.
• Have at least 2 years of professional experience in robotics, autonomous systems, embedded systems, or similar.
• Experience designing, developing, integrating, and testing hardware and/or software systems.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, Rust or similar languages.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in multidisciplinary teams.
• Eligible for Interim Top Secret clearance with potential to obtain Top Secret; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Develop mission-relevant autonomous systems for defense and intelligence sponsors and end users.
• Contribute to architecture, design, integration, and testing of autonomy systems across sensing, software, communications, and hardware.
• Develop and integrate perception, planning, navigation, controls, AI/ML inference, and multi‑agent autonomy on resource‑constrained platforms.
• Participate in system architecture trades, requirements development, interface definition, and technical design reviews.
• Support verification, validation, and test activities including HWIL, simulations, and field experiments.
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and AI/ML disciplines to deliver unified capabilities.
• Present technical work to teams and sponsors, taking increasing ownership of tasks and execution.
• Contribute to proposals, IRAD, and technology transition efforts with DoD/IC sponsors.

Skills

Python

C++

Rust

Robotics

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related technical field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Gazebo

Isaac Sim

Unreal Engine

AirSim

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer to shape mission-tailored autonomous platforms. You will contribute to perception, planning, navigation, and multi‑agent control across hardware and software in defense contexts.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sensing, decision‑making, and coordinated action in complex environments, with opportunities to lead technical tasks and advance through IRAD activities.