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Autonomy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Autonomy Lead

Torrance, CA · On-site

$190K - $266K/yr

What you will be doing As the Autonomy Lead, you will own the development of Neros' next autonomy product from the ground up. You'll lead a small, high-performing team of autonomy engineers while ...

If you have a passion for applying autonomous driving technologies to impact the flow of goods for millions of people, we want to talk to you! We're looking for Autonomy Engineering interns who are ...

As an autonomy engineer in the AI for Autonomy Lab, you will identify, shape, apply, conduct, and lead engineering research that matches critical U.S. government needs. The AI for Autonomy Lab ...

As an autonomy engineer in the AI for Autonomy Lab, you will identify, shape, apply, conduct, and lead engineering research that matches critical U.S. government needs. The AI for Autonomy Lab ...

As an Autonomy Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge autonomous navigation and control systems for our lunar rovers and orbital assets. Working at the intersection ...

Within Nextpower, the Robotics and Autonomy team is building and deploying robotic systems that operate at scale in real solar environments. These systems combine perception, planning, control ...

Autonomy Engineer

Chantilly, VA · Hybrid

$140K - $190K/yr

Autonomy Engineer Requisition ID: TA195 Location(s): Hybrid; Greater Denver Metro Area, CO: Northern, VA Application Deadline: August 31, 2026 Who We Are Trusted Space builds solutions both on the ...

Autonomy Engineer

Lorton, VA · On-site

$99K - $225K/yr

Autonomy Engineer The Opportunity: C ond uct the research, development, integration, deployment, and evaluation of robotic and unmanned systems across multiple operational domains and DoD warfighter ...

MORSE is looking for an Autonomy Software Engineer to research, develop and prototype novel autonomy software to enable pre-mission planning and operation of novel aircraft and other autonomous ...

Company Description At AeroVect, we provide autonomous driving solutions to some of the busiest airports and logistics hubs in the world. Backed by top-tier investors, AeroVect is shaping the future ...

Autonomy SME, Lead

Mclean, VA · On-site

$112K - $257K/yr

Autonomy SME, Lead The Opportunity: As an Autonomy and UAS Engineer, you will design, develop, and deploy machine learning models that power intelligent behaviors on unmanned systems. You will work ...

Showing results 21-40

Autonomy information

See salary details

$48.5K

$166.1K

$290.5K

How much do autonomy jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for autonomy in the United States is $166,107.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $214,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced by professionals working in autonomy?

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 skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an autonomous systems engineer?

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 is an autonomy engineer?

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.
More about Autonomy jobs
What cities are hiring for Autonomy jobs? Cities with the most Autonomy job openings:
What states have the most Autonomy jobs? States with the most job openings for Autonomy jobs include:
Infographic showing various Autonomy job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $166,107 per year, or $79.9 per hour.

$190K - $266K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 hours ago


Job description

Who we are
Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America's drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.
As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years.
What you will be doing
As the Autonomy Lead, you will own the development of Neros' next autonomy product from the ground up. You'll lead a small, high-performing team of autonomy engineers while directly driving the software architecture and defining hardware requirements for partner teams to design around. Day-to-day, you'll be in the code - developing terminal guidance, position hold, visual navigation, and swarming capabilities across current and future Neros platforms. This is a technical leadership role: you'll set the direction, make the hard calls, and ship capability that gets into soldiers' hands.
Responsibilities
  • Lead the autonomy software development effort for an upcoming Neros product, owning architecture decisions end-to-end
  • Define hardware requirements and interface closely with hardware teams to ensure software and system design are tightly coupled
  • Develop and iterate on terminal guidance, position hold, visual navigation, and swarming capabilities
  • Hire, manage, and grow a small team of autonomy engineers - setting technical standards and maintaining a high execution bar
  • Write and review production-quality embedded autonomy code in C, C++, and/or Python
  • Operate effectively under hardware constraints, making smart tradeoffs between performance and compute/power budgets

You should have the following
  • 3+ years proven experience leading technical work in hardware-constrained autonomy - small drones, ground robots, or similar systems strongly preferred
  • Hands-on depth in one or more of: computer vision, state estimation, controls, or robotics
  • Experience managing engineers and delivering projects end-to-end, not just contributing to them
  • Strong proficiency in C, C++, and/or Python in embedded or resource-constrained environments
  • Experience hiring for autonomy or AI roles

Nice to have
  • Prior work with quadcopters or other aerospace systems
  • Familiarity with Betaflight, ExpressLRS, or ArduPilot

US Salary Range
$190,000 - $266,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Neros' total compensation package.
We're an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.