Software Engineer for Autonomous Systems

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plans

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off

Education assistance

Sign-on bonus

Relocation benefits

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a hands-on Software Engineer to rapidly develop and field autonomous sensor solutions for challenging environments. You will work within the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group on cutting-edge projects that require multi-disciplinary collaboration, hands-on coding, and field testing.

You will design system architectures, own full stack software, and implement algorithms on compact hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
• 2+ years of relevant software development experience across design, development, integration and/or test of hardware/software systems.
• Willingness to multi-task across projects and work independently in small teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop system requirements and architectures for sensor systems and drive designs through integration and test.
• Own full stack software development interfacing with sensor systems for autonomous mission operations and data display.
• Design and deploy algorithms on low size, weight and power hardware for challenging environments.
• Analyze performance of deployed systems and iterate improvements.
• Conduct design reviews, bench testing, and field testing to verify system performance.
• Document development work and testing per quality requirements and present findings to review teams.
• Maintain configuration management per project standards.

Skills

Team leadership

Independence

Willingness to travel

Ability to obtain clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering/Computer Science

Master's degree in Computer Engineering/Computer Science

Tools

Java

C/C++

Linux

MATLAB

Pixhawk PX4/ArduPilot

UI design

Git

Job description

Are you a hands-on engineer that enjoys rapidly developing and fielding groundbreaking solutions for unattended sensors?

In the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory's (APL) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, we use applied engineering to field tomorrow's groundbreaking solutions for a set of government organizations. Dedicated, passionate, and self-driven multidisciplinary staff work side‑by‑side in the lab and in the field to build solutions to critically important challenges. The people who work here embrace challenges, adapt to dynamic changing environments, and are continually looking to advance their technical and leadership skills. We employ the groundbreaking research done at APL to field mission‑ready systems. Our passion for engineering innovative solutions also applies to mentoring and coaching junior staff to continue to strengthen our impactful teams.

We are seeking a motivated and creative Software Engineer to apply technical expertise across a broad range of software development skillsets to contribute to the rapid development and fielding of autonomous sensor solutions in some of the most challenging environments around the globe to help our sponsors complete their mission!

As a Software Engineer you will...

• Apply your skills in developing system requirements and architectures for sophisticated sensor systems and lead your designs through integration and test.
• Take ownership of the full stack development of software that interfaces with innovative sensor systems to execute autonomous mission operations and display data products to the end user in meaningful ways.
• Design and deploy hand‑crafted algorithms on low size, weight and power hardware platforms designed to operate in challenging environments.
• Perform analysis of deployed systems' performance.
• Conduct design reviews, bench testing, and field testing to evaluate and improve system performance.
• Document system development, engineering analysis, and testing consistent with quality requirements and present information to review teams.
• Maintain configuration management in accordance with project standards.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum requirements for the job if you...

• Have a B.S. Degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field of study.
• Have 2+ years of relevant experience with software development, to include design, development, integration, and/or test of hardware/software systems.
• Have demonstrated an ability and willingness to multi‑task across several projects and work independently in small teams while meeting quick turnaround demands.
• Are willing to work in classified laboratories and can travel to conduct field testing (approximately 15% of your time).
• Interact effectively with team members of different experience levels and backgrounds, including leadership of teams and projects.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level 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.

You 'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have an M.S. Degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field of study.
• Have more than 3 years of relevant experience in the defense or aerospace.
• Have relevant software development experience in the following subject areas: Java, C/C++, Linux, MATLAB, Pixhawk autopilot (PX4/Ardupilot), UI design, and Git.
• Possess an active DoD Secret clearance.

Salary

Minimum Rate: $100,000 Annually
Maximum Rate: $245,000 Annually

Benefits

You will receive a comprehensive benefits package, including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

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].