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Autonomous Vehicle Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Metron

Chief Engineer, Autonomous Systems

Reston, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Chief Engineer provides seniorlevel technical authority for the design, development, production, deployment, and sustainment of advanced autonomous undersea vehicles and uncrewed maritime ...

Doist

Senior Software Engineer - Scaled Simulation

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

$160.80 - $193/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About the Company At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will ... Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering or related technical field ...

METRON

Chief Engineer, Autonomous Systems

Reston, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Chief Engineer provides senior-level technical authority for the design, development, production, deployment, and sustainment of advanced autonomous undersea vehicles and uncrewed maritime ...

Metron

Chief Engineer, Autonomous Systems

Reston, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Chief Engineer provides senior-level technical authority for the design, development, production, deployment, and sustainment of advanced autonomous undersea vehicles and uncrewed maritime ...

Metron, Inc

Chief Engineer, Autonomous Systems

Reston, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Chief Engineer provides senior-level technical authority for the design, development, production, deployment, and sustainment of advanced autonomous undersea vehicles and uncrewed maritime ...

Forterra

Chief Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

... for integrated vehicle systems, ensuring robust, reliable autonomy and seamless subsystem ... engineering disciplines (software, electrical, mechanical, autonomy, systems, and systems ...

Forterra

Senior Payloads Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Take a holistic view of autonomous vehicle behavior-how sensing, compute, controls, and other ... Strong programming skills in languages in C/C++ (preferred) * Experience vehicle networks and ...

Forterra

Senior Payloads Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120 - $200/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Take a holistic view of autonomous vehicle behavior--how sensing, compute, controls, and other ... Strong programming skills in languages in C/C++ (preferred) * Experience in vehicle networks and ...

Torc Robotics

Safety Data Analyst

Blacksburg, VA · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Proven experience in mechanical engineering, vehicle engineering, autonomous systems, robotics, or physics-based applications. * Experience with vehicle and sensor systems, cloud-based data ...

Doist

Machine Learning Engineer, II - 3D Perception

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

$153 - $184/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About the Company At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will ... Collaborate with software engineers, infrastructure teams, and autonomy engineers to integrate ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsAutonomous Vehicle Engineer JobsAutonomous Vehicle Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Autonomous Vehicle Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$25

$53

$76

How much do autonomous vehicle engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for autonomous vehicle engineer in Virginia is $53.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42.88 and $61.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an autonomous vehicle engineer?

Autonomous vehicle engineers are professionals who design, develop, test, and implement the technologies that enable vehicles to operate without human intervention. They work on a range of systems, including sensors, artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, and control systems to ensure safe and efficient self-driving capabilities. These engineers often collaborate with experts in robotics, software development, and automotive engineering to advance the functionality and reliability of autonomous vehicles.

How do autonomous vehicle engineers typically collaborate with other teams during the development process?

Autonomous Vehicle Engineers often work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including software developers, hardware designers, safety experts, and data scientists. Collaboration is essential, as engineers must integrate sensor data, develop real-time algorithms, and ensure that autonomous systems interact safely with their environment. Regular cross-functional meetings, code reviews, and joint testing sessions are common practices to align on project goals and solve complex challenges. Effective communication skills are crucial, as engineers frequently translate technical requirements between different teams to ensure a cohesive final product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an autonomous vehicle engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Autonomous Vehicle Engineer, you need a strong background in robotics, computer science, and electrical or mechanical engineering, often supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency in programming languages like C++, Python, and ROS, as well as experience with sensor fusion, machine learning, and simulation tools, is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and adaptability help engineers navigate complex challenges and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure the safe, innovative, and effective development of autonomous vehicle systems.

What are popular job titles related to Autonomous Vehicle Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Autonomous Vehicle Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Autonomous Vehicle Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Autonomous Vehicle Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

Autonomous Vehicle Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Autonomous Vehicle Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 31% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,595 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Embedded Systems & Robotics Engineer

MAG Aerospace

Fairfax, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

MAG is staffing for an Embedded Systems & Robotics Engineer who will bridge the critical hardware-software boundary for autonomous tactical systems. You'll modify and enhance systems and solutions that operate independently in GPS-denied environments, from underwater vehicles to aerial swarms, while ensuring reliability in the harshest conditions.

US Citizens Only

Former US Defense Contractor / US Gov / US Military Experience Only  

This is a Hybrid Position - Remote mainly - but as well on call to come into a MAG office when requested. 

We are seeking candidates who live in proximity to our corporate HQ in Fairfax, VA primarily but will entertain persons living near our satellite offices in:

Aberdeen, MD - Titusville, FL - Newport News, VA - Carthage NC


Primary Responsibilities

  • Enhance or augment embedded software for autonomous vehicles (UGV, UAV, UUV, USV) to extend baseline capabilities
  • Implement sensor fusion for autonomous navigation (LIDAR, cameras, IMU, sonar)
  • Design control systems for robotic platforms and actuators
  • Create hardware abstraction layers following MOSA/SOSA standards
  • Develop digital twin simulations for hardware-in-the-loop testing
  • Implement real-time operating systems (RTOS) and safety-critical software
  • Develop and verify safety-critical software in accordance with established standards and best practices
  • Design and fabricate custom hardware solutions using 3D printing and rapid prototyping
  • Apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices using SysML/AADL
Secondary Responsibilities
  • Lead field testing and validation of autonomous systems
  • Support deployment and troubleshooting in operational environments
  • Create hardware test fixtures and validation procedures
  • Document MOSA compliance and interface specifications
  • Train operators on system capabilities and limitations

Experience:

Required Qualifications

  • 5+ years embedded systems and/or robotics development experience
  • Strong proficiency in C and C++ for real-time for resource-constrained systems
  • Expert proficiency and practical knowledge of Python for scripting, tooling, and rapid prototyping
  • Experience with ROS/ROS2 for robotics development
  • Hands-on experience with autonomous vehicle platforms
  • Proficiency with CAD tools and 3D printing/fabrication
  • Understanding of control theory and path planning algorithms
  • Experience with hardware communication protocols (CAN, I2C, SPI, UART)
  • Familiarity with MOSA/SOSA standards and open architectures
  • Experience with simulation tools (Gazebo, MATLAB/Simulink)
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms for autonomous systems
  • Military/defense robotics experience (ROS-M, JAUS)
  • Hands-on experience with RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, VxWorks) and/or embedded Linux (Yocto, Buildroot)
  • Knowledge of digital twin technologies and real-time simulation
  • Familiarity with DO-178C, DO-254, or similar safety standards
  • Experience with swarm robotics and distributed control
  • Understanding of SLAM and computer vision for navigation
  • Experience with environmental testing (MIL-STD-810)
  • Pilot's license or experience with FAA Part 107 operations

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in EE, CE, ME, CS or related field

Clearance:

  • Must be eligible for Secret security clearance
  • US Citizenship required

What Makes You Successful Here
  • You can go from CAD design to functioning prototype in days
  • You understand autonomy from sensors to behavior planning
  • You apply systems engineering rigor to rapid prototyping
  • You're comfortable with both lab development and field operations
  • You see MOSA as an enabler, not a constraint

Apply