Robotics Engineer

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 ARL autonomy software onto ground and aerial platforms, and integrate sensors, compute, and software for lab and field missions (Ubuntu and/or RHEL)
• Transition new internal and university research into ARL’s core robotics stacks, and move prototype capabilities into field testing
• 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
• Hands-on work with fielded research robots at ARL R2C2 and Aberdeen Proving Ground

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.