Robotics Engineer

mcfa; Middle River (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Support for required professional cert

Job summary

MCFA in Middle River, MD is seeking a mid-level Robotics Engineer to support intelligent robotics research. You will focus on software and hardware integration for proof-of-concept demonstrations and evaluate autonomous behaviors on ground and aerial platforms.

The role involves designing autonomy stacks, deploying software, field tests in challenging environments, collaboration with ARL and university partners, and documenting results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in robotics, CS, ME, EE, or related field.
• 3–5 years of robotics software engineering or autonomy experience.
• US citizenship and ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
• Hands-on ROS/ROS2 development on Linux.
• Proficiency in Python and C++ for robotics software.
• Knowledge of perception, SLAM/localization, navigation, and motion control.
• Experience integrating sensors and compute on robotic platforms.
• Experience planning, executing and reporting robotics experiments.

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate a mobile-robot autonomy stack spanning perception, mapping and localization, navigation, control, and higher-level intelligence.
• Deploy autonomy software onto ground and aerial platforms, and integrate sensors, compute, and software for lab and field missions (Ubuntu and/or RHEL).
• Plan, execute, and support robotics experiments, including field tests in controlled but sometimes austere environments.
• Collaborate with ARL staff and university partners to refactor, optimize, and verify prototype algorithms.
• Analyze experimental data, document code and system architecture, and prepare reports, briefings, and publications.
• Support configuration, integration, and system administration on lab and field platforms as assigned.

Skills

Robotics software engineering

ROS/ROS2 development

Python

C++

Linux command line

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Robotics/CS/EE/ME

Tools

CMake

Git

ROS/ROS2

Job description

Job Title: Robotics Engineer (Mid-Level) Location: Middle River, MD (Onsite) Employment Type: Full-Time (Onsite). Includes outdoor work in varying terrain and weather, and travel 2–3 times per year for up to two weeks.

Salary: $110,000-$140,000 DOE + bonus

Position Overview

MCFA is partnering with a defense research organization and leading their search for a Robotics Engineer to support intelligent robotics research. You’ll focus on software and hardware integration for proof-of-concept demonstrations and performance evaluation of autonomous behaviors on individual robots and teams of ground and aerial platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and integrate a mobile-robot autonomy stack spanning perception, mapping and localization, navigation, control, and higher-level intelligence such as exploration and multi-platform mission management
• Deploy autonomy software onto ground and aerial platforms, and integrate sensors, compute, and software for lab and field missions (Ubuntu and/or RHEL)
  
• Plan, execute, and support robotics experiments, including field tests in controlled but sometimes austere environments such as desert and forest terrain
• Collaborate with ARL staff and university partners to refactor, optimize, and verify prototype algorithms
• Analyze experimental data, document code and system architecture, and prepare reports, briefings, and publications
• Support configuration, integration, and system administration on lab and field platforms as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 3–5 years of robotics software engineering, autonomy, and/or robotic systems integration experience
• U.S. citizenship and an active U.S. SECRET clearance, or the ability to obtain one
• Hands-on ROS and/or ROS 2 development and deployment on Linux, including command-line tools and troubleshooting
• Proficiency in Python and C++ for robotics software, including CMake, Git, and third-party library integration
• Working knowledge of perception, SLAM/localization, navigation, and motion control, including platform constraints
• Experience integrating sensors and compute on robotic platforms (cameras, LiDAR, IMU, GPS, motion capture) and troubleshooting hardware/software interfaces
• Experience planning, executing, and reporting robotics experiments, including data logging and algorithm verification
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including code documentation, technical reports, and presentations

Bonus Points

• Master’s degree with a robotics or autonomy concentration
• PX4, MAVLink, or similar flight/autonomy stacks; multi-robot or UAV–UGV teaming
• State estimation and control methods (EKF/UKF, MPC, LQR, or comparable)
• Computer vision, machine learning, or robot simulation (Gazebo, Isaac)
• Operator tools such as RViz or Qt dashboards; time-series data systems such as InfluxDB
• Linux+ / RHCSA or equivalent; prior robotics publications or technical reports

Total Rewards

• Competitive base salary
• Support for required professional certifications