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Autonomous Vehicle Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Forterra

Chief Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Minimum 5+ years of experience in systems integration, robotics, or autonomous vehicles ... D.) in engineering preferred * 10+ Years of Experience in systems integration, robotics, or ...

Carnegie Mellon University

Autonomy Engineer

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... vehicle use cases. You understand current state of the art modelling techniques to build digital ... specific autonomous systems. You are familiar with simulation environments and their role in ...

Cmu

Autonomy Engineer

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

... vehicle use cases. You understand current state of the art modelling techniques to build digital ... specific autonomous systems. You are familiar with simulation environments and their role in ...

Trusted Space, LLC

Autonomy Engineer (Contingent)

Chantilly, VA · Hybrid

$135K - $215K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Experience with autonomy for robotics, UAVs, or space vehicles. * Working knowledge of aerospace ... engineering services, and space operations & training solutions. We empower government and ...

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Showing results 41-60

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.

Chief Engineer

Forterra

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

About Forterra
At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.
Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.
About the role
The Emerging Technologies team at Forterra develops mission specific, autonomous ground vehicle platforms spanning both the military and commercial vehicle applications. Our systems must be field-ready, reliable, and compliant with safety, cybersecurity, and mission assurance standards. We work closely with government and commercial stakeholders to deliver high-performance ground autonomy solutions for complex, real-world environments.
We are seeking a Chief Engineer to direct technical execution for complex defense autonomy programs within Emerging Technologies serving as the technical owner, Architect, and engineering lead. This hands-on leadership role carries full accountability for technical outcomes from concept through integration and delivery. The Technical Lead will interface directly with government customers, manage internal engineering execution, collaborate with all internal partners (Operations, Hardware, Core Software, etc.), and ensure delivery of a fully integrated, mission-capable system. This position is not a coordination role - it requires deep technical judgment, system level thinking, direct problem-solving, hands-on leadership of multidisciplinary teams, and decision-making under pressure.
What you'll do
  • Program Technical Leadership
    • Coordinate the software development lifecycle for integrated vehicle systems, ensuring robust, reliable autonomy and seamless subsystem interaction
    • Define, manage, and own the logical and physical system architecture for the specific program across software and hardware domains
    • Lead technical execution across multiple engineering disciplines (software, electrical, mechanical, autonomy, systems, and systems integration)
    • Manage and mitigate technical and programmatic risks through proactive design and schedule control
    • Own the engineering schedule and ensure alignment with overall program milestones and delivery dates
    • Collaborate directly with defense customers, partners, and vendors to align on technical solutions and delivery milestones.
  • Systems Engineering & Integration
    • Lead development and decomposition of system requirements and interface definitions for the program (Accountable but will have support from the broader org and dedicated resources within the division)
    • Ensure compliance with program-specific standards including MIL-STD-882E, NIST 800-53, amongst others
    • Define, manage, and own the logical and physical system architecture for the specific program across software and hardware domains
    • Oversee integration and commissioning of autonomous platforms and weapons payloads in field conditions
    • Coordinate and be accountable for system-level validation and verification campaigns, including test events and live demos
  • Cross-Functional Influence
    • Operate with full accountability, even in the absence of direct authority or guidance
    • Resolve technical and organizational conflict across functions to maintain execution velocity
    • Ruthlessly prioritize tasks and resources to maximize team output in a fluid environment
    • Represent the program at technical reviews, demonstrations, and key stakeholder engagements
  • Artifact & Compliance Management
    • Drive creation and management of all required engineering artifacts: systems requirements, interface control documents, cyber compliance packages, safety analyses, etc.
    • Conduct or supervise integration, verification & validation, Demonstration, and Test in lab and field environments.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field required. Relevant disciplines include: Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Software, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or similar
  • Minimum 5+ years of experience in systems integration, robotics, or autonomous vehicles
  • Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional engineering teams in high-stakes environments
  • Strong background in autonomy, drive-by-wire systems, or closely related fields
  • Ability to obtain a Secret clearance
  • Up to 25% travel may be required

Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D.) in engineering preferred
  • 10+ Years of Experience in systems integration, robotics, or autonomous vehicles
  • Experience working on robotics and autonomous systems for Department of Defense applications
  • Experience in DoD acquisition programs or direct collaboration with military end-users.

US Salary Range
$175,000-$235,000
The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra's overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:
  • Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
  • Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
  • Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
  • Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
  • A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
  • A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
  • Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.
Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.

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