Job Title: Robotics Engineer (Mid-Level)
Location: Middle River, MD (Onsite)
Employment Type: Full-Time (Onsite). Includes outdoor work in varying terrain and weather, and travel 2–3 times per year for up to two weeks.
Salary: $110,000-$140,000 DOE + bonus
Position Overview:
MCFA is partnering with a defense research organization and leading their search for a Robotics Engineer to support intelligent robotics research. You’ll focus on software and hardware integration for proof-of-concept demonstrations and performance evaluation of autonomous behaviors on individual robots and teams of ground and aerial platforms.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and integrate a mobile-robot autonomy stack spanning perception, mapping and localization, navigation, control, and higher-level intelligence such as exploration and multi-platform mission management
- Deploy autonomy software onto ground and aerial platforms, and integrate sensors, compute, and software for lab and field missions (Ubuntu and/or RHEL)
- Plan, execute, and support robotics experiments, including field tests in controlled but sometimes austere environments such as desert and forest terrain
- Collaborate with ARL staff and university partners to refactor, optimize, and verify prototype algorithms
- Analyze experimental data, document code and system architecture, and prepare reports, briefings, and publications
- Support configuration, integration, and system administration on lab and field platforms as assigned
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Engineering, or a related field
- 3–5 years of robotics software engineering, autonomy, and/or robotic systems integration experience
- U.S. citizenship and an active U.S. SECRET clearance, or the ability to obtain one
- Hands-on ROS and/or ROS 2 development and deployment on Linux, including command-line tools and troubleshooting
- Proficiency in Python and C++ for robotics software, including CMake, Git, and third-party library integration
- Working knowledge of perception, SLAM/localization, navigation, and motion control, including platform constraints
- Experience integrating sensors and compute on robotic platforms (cameras, LiDAR, IMU, GPS, motion capture) and troubleshooting hardware/software interfaces
- Experience planning, executing, and reporting robotics experiments, including data logging and algorithm verification
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including code documentation, technical reports, and presentations
Bonus Points:
- Master’s degree with a robotics or autonomy concentration
- PX4, MAVLink, or similar flight/autonomy stacks; multi-robot or UAV–UGV teaming
- State estimation and control methods (EKF/UKF, MPC, LQR, or comparable)
- Computer vision, machine learning, or robot simulation (Gazebo, Isaac)
- Operator tools such as RViz or Qt dashboards; time-series data systems such as InfluxDB
- Linux+ / RHCSA or equivalent; prior robotics publications or technical reports
Total Rewards:
- Competitive base salary
- Support for required professional certifications
About MCFA:
MCFA is a trusted talent acquisition and advisory firm supporting construction, real estate, infrastructure, and public sector clients nationwide. We specialize in helping our partners attract high-impact talent to achieve operational excellence and long-term growth.
