Senior USV Autonomy Engineer — AI-Driven Maritime Systems

Paycom; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Ops seeks a Senior USV Autonomy Engineer to lead design, integration, deployment, and evolution of autonomy for unmanned surface vessels. You will oversee software/hardware integration, sensor fusion, mission planning, control, and field testing across maritime, defense, and commercial programs.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate across teams, and advance COLREG-compliant navigation and AI-enabled autonomy strategies, while ensuring ITAR/EAR compliance and security culture.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• ABET-accredited degree in Robotics, CS, EE, Mechanical, or Marine Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years in autonomy, robotics or intelligent systems engineering.
• Strong understanding of marine platforms, navigation, and sensor fusion.
• Proficiency in C++, Python, ROS, Gazebo, SIL/HIL.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Active Secret clearance preferred.
• Experience with USV or autonomous maritime systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and validate autonomous behaviors for USV platforms.
• Develop sensor-driven situational awareness for real-time perception, obstacle avoidance, and decision-making.
• Adapt autonomy stacks to regulatory, environmental, and safety requirements.
• Lead installation, calibration, and testing on production vessels.
• Support simulation-based development and scalable software architecture.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate with field operations.
• Advance COLREG-compliant navigation and collision-avoidance behaviors.

Skills

C++

Python

ROS

Gazebo

Sensor fusion

Navigation

Control architectures

COLREG

ITAR/EAR

Security clearance

Mentorship

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's degree

Master’s or PhD (desired)

Tools

SIL/HIL

Job description

Blue Ops seeks a Senior USV Autonomy Engineer to lead design, integration, deployment, and evolution of autonomy for unmanned surface vessels. You will oversee software/hardware integration, sensor fusion, mission planning, control, and field testing across maritime, defense, and commercial programs.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate across teams, and advance COLREG-compliant navigation and AI-enabled autonomy strategies, while ensuring ITAR/EAR compliance and security culture.