Senior Robotics & Autonomy Lead for Critical Missions

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

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer to lead design, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced robotic/autonomous systems. You will guide architectures, perform trade studies, and transition capabilities into operations for critical missions.

Ideal candidates have a strong background in robotics, autonomy, and MBSE, with 8+ years of experience, and are prepared to engage with sponsors and stakeholders to shape

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience leading technical teams through design, development, prototyping, integration, and test.
• Experience with robotic/autonomous systems and embedded systems.
• Experience with system-level trade studies, risk management, and performance analyses.
• Strong technical communication to sponsors and leadership.
• Programming in Python or C++.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through system architecture, requirements development, integration, test, and transition of autonomous systems.
• Serve as technical lead, chief engineer, or senior systems engineer on autonomy-focused programs.
• Lead architecture development, interface definition, and requirements allocation across subsystems.
• Conduct trade studies, design reviews, risk assessments, and performance analyses.
• Lead verification, validation, and test activities including HWIL and field experiments.
• Guide development of perception, planning, navigation, controls, and multi-agent coordination.
• Interface with sponsors and stakeholders to define objectives and communicate progress.
• Mentor junior engineers and researchers in systems engineering, robotics, and autonomy.
• Support proposals, planning, and business development to expand portfolio.

Skills

Team leadership

Technical communication

Python

C++

System architecture

Autonomy systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Aerospace, CS or related field

Tools

SysML

MBSE

Digital Engineering

Job description

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer to lead design, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced robotic/autonomous systems. You will guide architectures, perform trade studies, and transition capabilities into operations for critical missions.

Ideal candidates have a strong background in robotics, autonomy, and MBSE, with 8+ years of experience, and are prepared to engage with sponsors and stakeholders to shape