Robotics Engineer

Ironclad Defense Works • Norfolk, VA

23d

About The Position

We are seeking an Robotics & AI Engineer to design, prototype, integrate, and support innovative technology solutions across robotics, autonomous systems, IoT, sensing, and edge AI. This role combines applied technology engineering with hands-on prototyping, systems integration, and software-enabled robotics with emerging AI and autonomy capabilities. The successful candidate will help deliver practical, mission-relevant solutions that can move quickly from concept to experimentation to operational use in the multi-domain (marine, air, land).

Requirements

• Active DoD security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Electronics Engineering, Information Technology, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong hands-on prototyping and fabrication skills, including 3D printing, soldering, wiring, PCB design, and schematic drafting.
• Professional experience in robotics, autonomous systems, applied electronics, or integrated technology development.
• Experience with autonomy-related technologies and robotics software integration. (ie. Experience using URDF to model robot structure, sensors, and kinematics in ROS/ROS2-based systems and MCAP.)
• Experience integrating sensors (ie. LiDAR, IMUs, GPS, accelerometers, and or related sensing technologies) into prototype systems.
• Ability to document solutions effectively in technical manuals, user/admin guides, and collaboration platforms such as Confluence/Jira/Gitlab etc.
• Familiarity with Agile and Design Thinking practices applied to prototyping and user-centered experimentation.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional and interdisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in standard business tools such as Google Suite / Microsoft Office and collaborative software tools.

Nice To Haves

• Apply knowledge of AI on the edge, machine vision, and advanced sensors to practical field-ready solutions.
• Apply sensor fusion and state estimation techniques, including Kalman Filters, to improve robotic and autonomous system performance.
• Use Agile, Design Thinking, and First Principles iterative prototyping methods to explore, validate, and refine innovative concepts.
• Experience with robotics visualization, simulation, or testing tools.
• Familiarity with low-bandwidth, radio-enabled, or distributed sensing environments.
• Experience with AI on the edge, machine vision, and embedded or real-time processing.
• Experience supporting field-based experimentation environments.

Responsibilities

• Deliver integrated hardware and technology solutions to support innovation projects in robotics, autonomous systems, IoT, radio links, and sensing.
• Design, BOMs, prototypes, and refine electronic and electromechanical components using 3D printing, soldering, wiring, PCB design and related fabrication methods.
• Integrate and apply sensing technologies such as EO, IR, LiDAR, IMUs, GPS, accelerometers, and related components to support perception, navigation, localization, and autonomous behaviors.
• Work with robotics and sensor data pipelines and formats, including MCAP, to support system integration, testing, and analysis.
• Develop and support robotics and autonomy solutions using ROS/ROS2, URDF, and related robotics frameworks and tooling.
• Integrate electronics with software (ie. Mqtt), networks (ie. Lora), and embedded or edge-computing platforms (ie. Nvidia) to ensure secure, resilient, and reliable system performance.
• Produce clear technical documentation, including technical guides, user and administrator instructions, integration notes, and step-by-step procedures in platforms such as Confluence.
• Collaborate closely with software developers, engineers, and operational users to deliver integrated, mission-focused solutions.
• Perform additional tasks related to innovation and technology integration support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level