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Autonomy Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Skyways

Autonomy Lead

Austin, TX · On-site

$101K - $133K/yr

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. Founded in 2017, the company has spent the last eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for ...

Skyways

Autonomy Lead

Austin, TX

$101K - $133K/yr

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. Founded in 2017, the company has spent the last eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for ...

Skyways

Autonomy Lead

Austin, TX · On-site

$101K - $133K/yr

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. Founded in 2017, the company has spent the last eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for ...

May Mobility

Site Autonomy Manager

Arlington, TX · On-site

Job Summary The Site Autonomy Manager's primary role is to oversee and support the operational fleet in their respective site location and provide multi-site support as needed. In addition to hands ...

Waabi

Lead Product Manager, Autonomy

Dallas, TX · On-site

$165K - $260K/yr

With a world-class team, we're unlocking the next era of autonomous transportation with technology that's powering commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. Waabi is backed by and partners with ...

Waabi

Lead Product Manager, Autonomy

Dallas, TX · On-site

$165K - $260K/yr

With a world-class team, we're unlocking the next era of autonomous transportation with technology that's powering commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. Waabi is backed by and partners with ...

Apptronik

Senior Autonomy Software Engineer

Austin, TX

$190K - $235K/yr

Senior Autonomy Software Engineer Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built ...

Shield AI

Chief Engineer, Autonomy (R4614)

Dallas, TX

$200K - $300K/yr

The Chief Engineer at Shield AI is responsible for solving complex technical challenges in deploying advanced autonomy solutions on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). As the chief authority on system ...

Shield AI

Chief Engineer, Autonomy (R4614)

Dallas, TX · On-site

The Chief Engineer at Shield AI is responsible for solving complex technical challenges in deploying advanced autonomy solutions on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). As the chief authority on system ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsAutonomy JobsAutonomy Jobs in Texas

Autonomy information

See Texas salary details

$42.7K

$146.1K

$255.5K

How much do autonomy jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for autonomy in Texas is $146,080.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,212.00 and $188,638.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some of the common challenges faced by professionals working in the field of autonomy, such as autonomous systems engineering?

Professionals in the autonomy field often encounter challenges related to integrating complex hardware and software systems, ensuring safety and reliability, and keeping up with rapidly evolving technology. Collaborating across multidisciplinary teams—such as robotics, AI, and systems engineering—is essential to address these challenges effectively. Additionally, testing autonomous solutions in real-world environments to handle unpredictable scenarios is a critical part of the role, requiring strong problem-solving skills and adaptability.

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

To thrive as an Autonomous Systems Engineer, you need a solid background in robotics, computer science, and control systems, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with programming languages (such as Python or C++), simulation tools (like ROS or Gazebo), and experience with AI or machine learning frameworks are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective teamwork set top performers apart in this role. These skills are crucial for designing, developing, and improving autonomous technologies that function reliably in complex, real-world environments.

What is the difference between Autonomy vs Project Manager?

AspectAutonomyProject Manager
Required credentialsTypically none; skills in decision-making and independenceProject management certifications (PMP, CAPM), relevant experience
Work environmentIndependent, self-directed roles, often in consulting or freelance workTeam-based, coordinating projects within organizations
Employer and industry usageUsed across various industries for roles emphasizing independenceCommon in construction, IT, marketing, and corporate sectors

Autonomy refers to the degree of independence in decision-making and work execution, often in roles that require self-direction. Project Managers focus on planning, executing, and closing projects within organizations, often working within structured teams. While Autonomy emphasizes independence, Project Managers operate within defined project scopes and organizational frameworks.

What are autonomy engineers?

Autonomy engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain autonomous systems, such as self-driving vehicles, drones, or robotics. Their work focuses on enabling machines to perform tasks without constant human intervention by integrating sensors, control algorithms, and artificial intelligence. Autonomy engineers often collaborate with software developers, hardware engineers, and data scientists to ensure the safe and efficient operation of autonomous technologies. Their expertise is crucial in industries like automotive, aerospace, and robotics, where automation and intelligent systems are rapidly advancing.
What are popular job titles related to Autonomy jobs in Texas? For Autonomy jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Autonomy jobs in Texas look for? The top searched job categories for Autonomy jobs in Texas are:
What cities in Texas are hiring for Autonomy jobs? Cities in Texas with the most Autonomy job openings:
Autonomy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Autonomy job openings in Texas as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,080 per year, or $70.2 per hour.
Autonomy Lead

Autonomy Lead

Skyways

Austin, TX • On-site

$101K - $133K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. Founded in 2017, the company has spent the last eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for real-world operations.
Our V2 aircraft carries 30 lbs up to 500 miles, while our next-generation V3 carries 100 lbs over 1,000+ miles with 20+ hours of endurance. Both use a hybrid-electric architecture that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a plane, enabling long-range autonomous delivery without traditional runway infrastructure.
Today, Skyways aircraft operate across three continents in controlled national airspace under FAA oversight and in support of U.S. military operations. We are transitioning from prototype development to full-rate production and scaling toward large autonomous cargo fleets.
Backed by Y Combinator and a $37M AFWERX STRATFI award from the U.S. Air Force, Skyways is creating a new form of transportation to advance our civilization from Austin, Texas.
The Opportunity
This role owns how autonomy works in real-world flight, and it owns the small team that builds it.
You will define how perception, state estimation, planning, and flight behaviors come together into a system that actually completes missions reliably. This is not about building isolated components. It is about making the full stack work under real constraints, and about leading a team of autonomy engineers to do the same.
You will shape how our ML systems improve with real-world data and ensure they perform outside of ideal conditions. You will lead technical direction for autonomy while remaining deeply hands-on in architecture, implementation, testing, and flight debugging. Your work directly impacts mission success, aircraft reliability, and operational deployment at fleet scale.
We are looking for someone who has already built and deployed autonomy systems on real-world robotic or UAV platforms, and who wants to grow a team while staying close to the code.
What You'll Do:
  • Own the end-to-end autonomy stack across perception, estimation, planning, and system behavior
    • >
  • Lead, manage, and grow a team of autonomy engineers, including hiring, onboarding, performance, and development
    • >
  • Be accountable for your team's output, technical standards, morale, and retention
    • >
  • Define system architecture and make tradeoffs across reliability, performance, and operational complexity
    • >
  • Set technical direction for autonomy while remaining hands-on in critical technical areas
    • >
  • Drive integration across autonomy, GNC, mission planning, and aircraft systems
    • >
  • Own how autonomy is validated across simulation, ground testing, and flight operations
    • >
  • Use flight data, telemetry, and operational feedback to identify failures and improve system performance
    • >
  • Drive how datasets, evaluation pipelines, and iteration loops improve deployed autonomy systems
    • >
  • Debug real-world autonomy failures and close gaps between controlled testing and operational deployment
    • >
  • Work closely with flight operations and hardware teams to improve reliability in real environments
    • >

What You'll Bring:
  • Experience building and deploying autonomy systems on real robotic or UAV platforms
    • >
  • Experience leading and developing engineers, including direct people management or a clear track toward it
    • >
  • Strong system-level understanding across perception, estimation, and planning, with depth in at least one area
    • >
  • Experience taking autonomy systems from development through operational deployment and iteration
    • >
  • Strong proficiency in C++ and Python
    • >
  • Experience debugging real-world autonomy failures using logs, telemetry, and system-level analysis
    • >
  • Experience working across software, hardware, and flight or field operations
    • >
  • Ability to make practical engineering tradeoffs under real operational constraints
    • >
  • Experience improving ML or perception systems using real-world operational data
    • >

Bonus Points If You Have:
  • Experience with autonomous aircraft or aerial systems
    • >
  • Background in robotics, computer vision, or motion planning
    • >
  • Experience with real-time or embedded systems
    • >
  • Familiarity with ROS2 or similar robotics frameworks
    • >
  • Experience deploying autonomy or ML systems to resource-constrained environments
    • >

Want to join our mission? Apply to learn more!
Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations.
Skyways is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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