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 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.