Job Title: Sr Software Engineer - Autonomous Systems
Job Description
This role focuses on designing, developing, and deploying software that enables intelligent behavior in robotics and autonomous ground vehicles. You will work on an autonomy stack that supports real-world missions for national security and industrial applications, integrating software with hardware platforms and validating performance in demanding, real-world environments. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams of engineers, researchers, and product managers to deliver robust, scalable, and production-quality software for complex autonomous systems.
Responsibilities
Design, develop, and maintain software components that enable intelligent behavior in autonomous ground vehicles.
Integrate and deploy the autonomy stack onto customer-bound hardware platforms and validate performance in real-world 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 from field and lab environments, identify issues and root causes, and work with engineering teams to drive problems to resolution.
Identify 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, supporting the full lifecycle from research and development to deployment.
Integrate software on hardware products, ensuring reliable operation of autonomous systems in heavy engineering and test environments.
Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code while adhering to software design, unit testing, and debugging best practices.
Consistently deliver production-quality software in a continuously integrated environment.
Travel 10-25% or up to 25-50%, depending on role placement and candidate preference, and commute to Arlington, VA as needed to support on-site integration and testing.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, robotics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience and demonstrated skill.
Strong programming skills in C++ with experience in production-grade software development.
Proficiency in at least one additional language such as Python or Java.
Solid core software engineering skills, including software design, unit testing, and debugging.
Experience integrating software on hardware products, particularly in embedded or robotics @contexts.
Ability to consistently deliver production-quality software in a continuously integrated environment.
Strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software design principles.
Demonstrated ability to write clean, maintainable code and follow strong documentation practices.
Experience working with Linux-based development environments.
Experience in software development for autonomous vehicles or automotive engineering.
Willingness and ability to travel between 10-25% or 25-50% depending on role needs, and to commute to Arlington, VA as required.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in software development for robotics and autonomous systems.
Familiarity with state machines and motion or path planning for autonomous platforms.
Knowledge of navigation and mapping algorithms used in robotics and autonomous vehicles.
Understanding of robot perception techniques and sensor integration.
Familiarity with real-time operating systems and embedded programming.
Experience working in cross-functional teams with engineers, researchers, and product managers.
Experience or interest in applications that support national security missions and industrial automation.
Work Environment
The role operates in a heavy engineering and test environment focused on ground-based autonomous systems and robotics. You will work closely with physical hardware platforms, integrating and testing software in real-world and lab conditions, often around vehicles, sensors, and other specialized equipment. The organization prefers employees to work primarily on site, with the option to work from home 1-2 days per week based on productivity and project needs. Work is highly collaborative, involving frequent interaction with cross-functional teams and end users, and may require travel to test sites and customer locations. The environment emphasizes rigorous testing, continuous integration, and field validation of autonomy solutions to support critical real-world missions.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Clarksburg, MD.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $135000.00/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 22, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
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.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
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.
