Senior Robotics & Autonomy Lead, Systems Engineer

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Senior Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership for the design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced autonomous systems. You will lead cross-disciplinary teams to define architectures and transition capabilities into operational use at the nation’s most challenging missions.

You will mentor engineers, support MBSE practices, and contribute to proposals and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Aerospace, CS, or related field.
• 8+ years of relevant professional experience

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through system architecture, requirements, integration, test, and transition for autonomous systems.
• Serve as technical lead or senior systems engineer on autonomy-focused development efforts.
• Lead system architecture development, interface definition, requirements allocation, and baseline management across HW, SW, sensing, communications, and autonomy subsystems.
• Conduct trade studies, design reviews, risk assessments, and performance analyses to support program decisions.
• Lead verification, validation, and test activities, including simulation, HWIL, lab integration, and field experimentation.
• Guide development of autonomy capabilities including perception, planning, navigation, controls, decision-making, and multi-agent coordination.
• Interface with government sponsors, performers, and stakeholders to define objectives and communicate progress.
• Mentor junior engineers and researchers in systems engineering, robotics, and autonomy development.
• Support proposal development, strategic planning, and business development to expand the group’s portfolio.

Skills

Python

C++

MBSE

System engineering

Technical leadership

High-level communication

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Robotics / related field

Tools

SysML

Digital Engineering

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Senior Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership for the design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced autonomous systems. You will lead cross-disciplinary teams to define architectures and transition capabilities into operational use at the nation’s most challenging missions.

You will mentor engineers, support MBSE practices, and contribute to proposals and strategic planning.