Senior Robotics Engineer for Tailored Autonomous Systems Group

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD seeks a Senior Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership across design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced robotic and autonomous systems for national security missions.

You will define architectures, guide technical execution, mentor engineers, and help transition capabilities into operations, collaborating with sponsors and researchers to advance MBSE, perception, planning, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Aerospace, CS, or related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in complex engineering systems.
• Experience leading technical teams through design, prototyping, integration and test.
• Experience with robotic/autonomous systems and mission-critical technologies.
• System-level trade studies, risk management, and performance analyses.
• Strong technical communication to sponsors and leadership.
• Proficiency in Python or C++.
• Eligibility for interim Top Secret clearance and TS/SCI clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through architecture, requirements, integration, testing, and transition for autonomous systems.
• Serve as technical lead or senior systems engineer on autonomy-focused development efforts.
• Lead architecture development, interface definition, and baseline management across subsystems.
• Conduct trade studies, design reviews, risk assessments, and performance analyses.
• Lead verification, validation, and testing including simulation, HWIL, and field experiments.
• Guide development of perception, planning, navigation, controls, decision-making, and multi-agent autonomy.
• Interface with sponsors and stakeholders to define objectives and communicate progress.
• Mentor junior engineers in systems engineering, robotics, and autonomy development.
• Support proposals, strategic planning, and business development.

Skills

Python

C++

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Robotics or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

MBSE

SysML

Job description

Overview

Are you passionate about robotics, autonomous systems, and advanced mission capabilities? Do you enjoy leading multidisciplinary teams through the development, integration, and transition of complex autonomous systems? Are you interested in shaping the future of robotics and autonomy for critical national security missions?

The Tailored Autonomous Systems Group (QPJ) is seeking a Senior Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership for the design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced robotic and autonomous systems. Our team develops low-size, weight, and power (SWaP) robotic platforms and autonomy solutions that operate in challenging and dynamic environments.

As a senior member of the team, you will serve as a technical leader across multiple projects, working closely with sponsors, engineers, and researchers to define system architectures, guide technical execution, and transition advanced capabilities into operational use. You will help shape the strategic direction of QPJ’s robotics and autonomy portfolio while contributing directly to the nation's most challenging mission problems.

Responsibilities

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

Minimum Qualifications

• Have a Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Have at least 8 years of relevant professional experience developing, integrating, testing, or fielding complex engineering systems.
• Have experience leading technical teams through system design, development, prototyping, integration, and test activities.
• Have experience developing and integrating robotic systems, autonomous systems, embedded systems, or other mission-critical technologies.
• Have experience conducting system-level trade studies, technical risk management, and performance analyses.
• Have strong technical communication skills and experience presenting technical information to sponsors and senior leadership.
• Have experience programming in Python, C++, or similar languages.
• Are able to obtain an interim Top Secret level security clearance by your start date and ultimately obtain a TS/SCI clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have a Master's degree or Ph.D. in Robotics, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Have experience serving as a Technical Lead, Chief Engineer, Principal Investigator, or Project Manager on advanced technology programs.
• Have demonstrated experience leading systems engineering activities including requirements development, architecture definition, integration, verification, validation, and transition.
• Have experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies, including SysML and Digital Engineering practices.
• Have experience developing autonomous systems, robotic platforms, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), uncrewed ground vehicles (UGV), maritime systems, or distributed autonomous systems.
• Have expertise in perception, SLAM, planning, controls, AI/ML, human-machine teaming, or multi-agent autonomy.

Pay Range

$105,000 to $290,000 annually.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].