1

Autonomous Systems Engineer Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

Federated Lab Lead with Security Clearance

Aiea, HI ยท On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Proven experience integrating emerging technologies (autonomous systems, ISR, AI/ML, edge computing) into operational environments. * Experience coordinating across operators, engineers, acquisition ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Autonomous Systems Engineer information

See Hawaii salary details

$55.6K

$132.2K

$173.5K

How much do autonomous systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for autonomous systems engineer in Hawaii is $132,171.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,800.00 and $163,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior autonomous systems engineers, especially those with advanced expertise in robotics, machine learning, and control systems, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation is often associated with experience, specialized skills, leadership roles, and working in industries like aerospace, defense, or autonomous vehicle development.

What does an Autonomous Systems Engineer do?

An Autonomous Systems Engineer designs, develops, and optimizes self-governing systems that operate with minimal human intervention. This includes robotics, self-driving vehicles, drones, and AI-driven automation. They work with sensors, machine learning, control systems, and software to ensure reliable decision-making and adaptability in dynamic environments. Their role often involves testing, simulation, and integration of hardware and software components to improve system efficiency and safety.

How much do autonomous systems engineers make?

Autonomous systems engineers typically earn a median annual salary between $90,000 and $130,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior engineers with specialized skills in robotics, machine learning, and sensor integration can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000 annually.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Autonomous Systems Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Autonomous Systems Engineer, you need strong expertise in robotics, control systems, sensor integration, and proficiency in languages such as Python or C++, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation tools like ROS (Robot Operating System), MATLAB/Simulink, and experience deploying algorithms on embedded hardware are typically required. Effective problem-solving, strong teamwork, and clear communication are standout soft skills in this field. These competencies are crucial for designing reliable autonomous solutions, troubleshooting complex issues, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams for successful system deployment.

What are some common challenges faced by Autonomous Systems Engineers and how are they addressed?

Autonomous Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating diverse hardware and software components, achieving robust sensor fusion, and ensuring system reliability in unpredictable environments. Addressing these challenges typically involves rigorous simulation testing, iterative algorithm development, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams in software, hardware, and systems engineering. Engineers must also stay updated with advancements in machine learning and robotics to continually refine and enhance system capabilities. Employers support these efforts through ongoing training, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and investment in advanced prototyping resources.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced autonomous systems engineers working in specialized fields such as aerospace, defense, or advanced robotics can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with seniority, advanced skills in AI and machine learning, and leadership roles. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or other incentives in addition to base salary.

What do autonomous systems engineers do?

Autonomous systems engineers design, develop, and test systems that operate independently, such as self-driving vehicles or robotic automation. They work with sensors, algorithms, and control systems, often using programming languages like C++ or Python, and may require knowledge of machine learning, robotics, and embedded systems.
What are popular job titles related to Autonomous Systems Engineer jobs in Hawaii? For Autonomous Systems Engineer jobs in Hawaii, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Autonomous Systems Engineer jobs in Hawaii look for? The top searched job categories for Autonomous Systems Engineer jobs in Hawaii are:
Infographic showing various Autonomous Systems Engineer job openings in Hawaii as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $132,171 per year, or $63.5 per hour.
Field Systems Engineer with Security Clearance

Field Systems Engineer with Security Clearance

Cubic Corporation

Honolulu, HI โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Business Unit: Cubic Defense Company Details: When you join Cubic, you become part of a company that creates and delivers technology solutions in transportation to make people's lives easier by simplifying their daily journeys, and defense capabilities to help promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation. Led by our talented teams around the world, Cubic is committed to solving global issues through innovation and service to our customers and partners. We have a top-tier portfolio of businesses, including Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) and Cubic Defense (CD). Explore more on Cubic.com. Job Details: Location: Ford Island, Hawaii (Onsite, OCONUS)
Clearance Requirement: Active U.S. SECRET; ability to obtain Top Secret / SCI Role Overview The Field System Engineer serves as the senior onsite technical authority supporting emerging Department of War (DoW) Airborne ISR (A-ISR) Full Motion Video (FMV) mission systems. Operating in a high-tempo, mission-critical environment, this role leads advanced troubleshooting, hands-on systems engineering, and cross-domain solution (CDS) sustainment for complex, distributed intelligence architectures. This senior-level position requires deep technical acumen, independent decision-making, and direct collaboration with DoW and Intelligence Community (IC) stakeholders. The engineer is embedded with the customer at Ford Island, functioning as the primary technical representative responsible for maintaining operational readiness, stability, and security of enterprise ISR infrastructures. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership & Advanced Engineering * Serve as the onsite technical SME for large-scale FMV architectures, providing expert-level diagnosis, recovery, and optimization of mission systems.
* Lead end-to-end engineering support for software applications, network systems, middleware, virtualized environments, and Linux-based services.
* Own the operational sustainment and configuration of Cross Domain Solutions (CDS), ensuring secure and compliant data transfer across classified network boundaries.
* Perform advanced system diagnostics, root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions to ensure system availability in a 24ร—7 mission environment.
Mission-Embedded Customer Engagement * Operate as the senior onsite representative, regularly interfacing with DoW leadership, IC mission partners, and contractor engineering teams.
* Provide authoritative guidance to Tier I and Tier II staff, mentoring junior personnel and driving resolution of high-impact technical issues.
* Deliver concise and mission-relevant reporting-including incident updates, system performance metrics, operational risk assessments, and recommended remediations.
Architecture, Deployment & Sustainment * Support ongoing system modernization efforts, including architecture implementation, network expansion, storage integration, and multi-site FMV distribution upgrades.
* Oversee configuration, sustainment, and troubleshooting for LAN/WAN infrastructures using expert knowledge of core protocols and routing standards.
* Maintain complex virtualization ecosystems (VMware, Hyper-V, Xen) and containerized deployments (Kubernetes, preferred).
* Ensure compliance with Information Assurance (IA) and cybersecurity requirements, including RMF, STIGs, and DoW IA controls.
Required Technical Expertise * Extensive experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, and enterprise Linux administration.
* Proven mastery in supporting mission-critical video architectures, including streaming technologies, MISB standards, and H.264 encoding.
* Deep understanding of storage networking (Fibre Channel, iSCSI) and distributed storage systems.
* Ability to autonomously identify, document, and escalate complex software defects, infrastructure failures, or architectural limitations.
* Demonstrated history of supporting DoW or military intelligence systems, preferably in forward-deployed or OCONUS environments.
* Competency with UAV/UAS data dissemination architectures and A-ISR operational workflows (preferred).
Minimum Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in electronics, computer science, information systems, or equivalent; with 7-8 years relevant experience.
* Previous experience supporting DoW or military operational environments strongly preferred.
* Ability to independently operate in a remote OCONUS field setting, adhering to all field operations standards.
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a strong customer-centric approach.
* Proven ability to partner across diverse technical and leadership levels.
Role Positioning Summary This position represents a senior-level, independently operating technical leader who: * Manages mission-critical systems with minimal oversight.
* Serves as the customer-facing technical expert onsite.
* Solves high-complexity technical problems across the full systems stack.
* Provides mentorship, escalation management, and authoritative technical guidance.
* Ensures operational continuity in sensitive, high-trust environments requiring elevated clearances. Cubic Pay Range: $156,000.00 - $170,000.00 + benefits. The Cubic pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law. Worker Type: Employee We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate based on any protected characteristic under applicable law.