Autonomous Systems Engineer

About the role

At MITRE, you can do meaningful work while maintaining a fulfilling life. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields such as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. Our workplace reflects our values, offering competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and partnership.

The Autonomous and Intelligent Systems Department enables effective and safe adoption of embodied AI solutions for critical challenges across defense, healthcare, transportation, and law enforcement. We bring unique, unbiased insights to areas where industry is not incentivized or able to operate, delivering solutions to MITRE’s sponsors and partners.

Responsibilities

• Maintain knowledge of advances in autonomy and robotics capabilities
• Leverage technical expertise to evaluate and improve AI/Autonomy system performance
• Provide thought leadership on autonomy/AI technology adoption for robotics hardware and cloud-based computing environments
• Evaluate autonomy or AI solutions and provide guidance to sponsors based on their requirements
• Work on robotics-relevant topics such as computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, planning, human-machine teaming, and multi-robot systems
• Build capabilities in growth areas for Autonomous Systems (e.g., maritime autonomy, healthcare robotics, space robotics)
• Help execute department and division strategy around enabling high-consequence applications of Autonomy, including assurance, test & evaluation, and societal implications

Requirements

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years of autonomy and AI experience; or an advanced degree with relevant experience; or equivalent combination of autonomy-related education and work experience
• Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, control theory, human–machine teaming, or multi-robot systems
• Ability to clearly articulate autonomy-specific challenges (perception, reasoning, behaviors, collaboration), understand real-world application constraints, discuss critical issues, and identify capability gaps
• Familiarity with state-of-the-art autonomy research and tools, including ROS 2 and Docker
• Ability to work independently to learn new technologies, methods, processes, frameworks, platforms, and systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate challenging technical concepts to both lay and expert audiences
• Experience executing autonomy-focused research initiatives
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret clearance within 12 months from the date of hire
• U.S. Citizenship (required for security clearance eligibility)
• Minimum of 50% hybrid on-site work

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Experience with software development in a production setting
• Knowledge of advances in Autonomy and AI evaluation capabilities in industry and academia
• Domain knowledge of swarming systems, red teaming, counter UxS, robotic test and evaluation, agentic AI, manufacturing robotics, and/or missile defense
• Experience with configuring and writing software for open-source flight controllers (ArduPilot, PX4, Mission Planner, QGroundControl, etc.)
• Experience with rapid prototyping, including fabrication and electronics
• Experience with field testing autonomous systems, particularly unmanned aerial systems
• Knowledge and/or experience with edge computing, C-SWAP (compute, size, weight, and power) platforms, and/or surrogate or scaled platforms
• Work and/or leadership experience implementing and evaluating AI and Autonomy algorithms
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance

Pay

Salary compensation range: $121,600 – $152,000 – $182,400 annually.

Schedule

This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site work.