UAV Robotics Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

19h

About The Position

The UAV Robotics Engineer will help conceive, design, fabricate, integrate, and test novel UAV systems and payloads. The role contributes to advanced autonomous capabilities and the development of uncrewed systems, working with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and technicians on rapid prototyping, system design and integration, and field testing. The team supports critical programs benefiting the nation’s warfighters in a collaborative, innovative, and fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field, or equivalent years of experience.
At least 2 years of relevant experience working with UAVs, UGVs, UAS, UUVs, or related robotic systems.
Experience designing, integrating, and flight-testing both fixed-wing and multirotor UAVs.
Willingness and ability to support local and remote field test events, including operations in harsh and austere environments.
Active Secret security clearance; selected candidates must undergo a government security clearance investigation and meet requirements for access to classified information, including U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline.
Experience developing and flight-testing autonomous UAV behaviors.
Comfort working across mechanical, electrical, and software domains.
Experience leading complex UAV development efforts from concept through deployment.
Experience integrating perception sensors such as EO/IR cameras, LiDAR, radar, or RF payloads into UAV platforms.
Comfort making real-time engineering decisions during flight and field operations.
Experience operating UAVs in GPS-degraded, RF-challenged, or denied environments.
Experience with a variety of UAV airframe types, such as multirotor, fixed-wing, VTOL, coaxial, or traditional helicopter.
Experience with Uncrewed Underwater, Ground, or Surface Vehicles (UUV, UGV, USV).
Ability to thrive in fast-paced, prototype-driven environments with evolving requirements.

Responsibilities

Design, fabricate, integrate, and test UAV airframes, subsystems, and payloads.
Design, integrate, and test mission-critical electronics for robotic systems.
Plan, execute, and lead local and remote field tests, incorporating end-user feedback into design revisions.
Serve as a technical lead and mentor within a multidisciplinary engineering team.