Job Title: Senior Software Engineer - Autonomous SystemsJob Description
This Senior Software Engineer role focuses on designing, developing, integrating, and fielding software that enables intelligent behavior in robotics and autonomous ground vehicles. You will work on real-world missions, deploying autonomy solutions onto customer-bound hardware platforms and supporting a fleet of ground vehicles used by national security customers worldwide. The position offers the opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional teams of engineers, researchers, and product leaders to deliver robust, scalable software for complex autonomous systems.
Responsibilities
Design, develop, and maintain software components that enable intelligent behavior in robotics and autonomous ground vehicles.
Integrate and deploy the autonomy stack onto customer-bound hardware platforms and validate performance in real-world operational conditions.
Collaborate directly with end-users and internal stakeholders to deliver new autonomous behaviors, payload integrations, and emerging mission use cases.
Take a holistic view of autonomous vehicle behavior by understanding how sensing, compute, controls, and other subsystems interact, and drive overall system performance improvements.
Analyze test results, identify issues and root causes, and work closely with engineering teams to drive problems through to resolution.
Detect performance shortfalls in the core autonomy stack, shape solution approaches, and implement enhancements in partnership with cross-functional teams.
Partner with business development and engineering teams to translate customer requirements into delivered autonomy capabilities and R&D execution.
Integrate software onto hardware products, ensuring reliable operation in a continuously integrated environment.
Consistently deliver production-quality software, including thorough unit testing, debugging, and documentation.
Collaborate within cross-functional software teams, proactively identifying and solving technical challenges.
Travel 10-25% or up to 25-50%, depending on candidate preference and role placement, and commute to Arlington, VA as needed to support testing, integration, and customer activities.
Essential Skills
Minimum of 3 years of relevant software engineering experience.
Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, robotics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience and demonstrated skill.
Strong programming skills in C++, Python, or Java, with an emphasis on production-quality development.
Experience integrating software on hardware products, particularly in complex or embedded environments.
Proficiency with Linux for software development and deployment.
Solid core software engineering skills, including software design, unit testing, and debugging.
Ability to deliver high-quality software in a continuously integrated environment.
Strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software design principles.
Ability to write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code.
Experience working effectively within teams and a demonstrated willingness to proactively solve problems.
Experience with C++ development for autonomous vehicles or automotive engineering applications.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in software development for robotics and autonomous systems.
Experience with safety-critical systems, such as those aligned with MIL-STD-882, ISO-based standards, or DO-178.
Experience working with state machines and motion or path planning.
Knowledge of navigation and mapping algorithms, as well as robot perception.
Familiarity with real-time operating systems and embedded programming.
Leadership experience on cross-functional software teams.
Experience collaborating with business development or customer-facing teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
Work Environment
The role operates in a heavy engineering and test environment focused on autonomous ground systems. Work involves hands-on integration and testing of software on physical hardware platforms, including ground vehicles and associated subsystems. The organization prefers employees to work primarily onsite to support close collaboration, rapid iteration, and direct interaction with test equipment and vehicles, while offering the flexibility to work from home 1-2 days per week based on demonstrated productivity. You will work with modern software development tools in a continuously integrated environment and engage regularly with cross-functional engineering teams and end-users in field-like conditions.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Clarksburg, MD.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $250000.00/yr.
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Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Clarksburg,MD.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 25, 2026.
About Actalent
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If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
