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First Robotics Jobs in Columbia, MD (NOW HIRING)

Technical Lead

Jessup, MD · On-site

$137K - $189K/yr

Summary pay range: $137,600 - $189,200 Liquid Robotics designs and manufactures Wave Gliders, the first wave and solar powered autonomous ocean robots. With our partners we address many of the planet ...

Documentation Manager

Jessup, MD · On-site

$64K - $89K/yr

Non-Exempt Summary pay range: $31.15 - $42.83. ($64,792 - $89,000) Liquid Robotics designs and manufactures Wave Gliders, the first wave and solar powered autonomous ocean robots. With our partners ...

Technical Lead

Jessup, MD

$137K - $189K/yr

Summary pay range: $137,600 - $189,200 Liquid Robotics designs and manufactures Wave Gliders, the first wave and solar powered autonomous ocean robots. With our partners we address many of the planet ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Clarksburg, MD · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Student projects leadership (SAE Baja, Formula, FIRST Robotics, etc.) US Salary Range $115,000-$130,000 The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation ...

Showing results 21-40

First Robotics information

See Columbia, MD salary details

$83.4K

$95.3K

$115.6K

How much do first robotics jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for first robotics in Columbia, MD is $95,270.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,300.00 and $101,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a First Robotics job?

A FIRST Robotics job typically involves mentoring, coaching, or supporting student teams in designing, building, and programming robots for competitions organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). These roles can be volunteer-based or paid positions in schools, nonprofit organizations, or STEM-focused companies. Responsibilities may include teaching engineering concepts, overseeing project management, ensuring safety, and fostering teamwork. Many professionals in this field have backgrounds in robotics, engineering, or computer science.

What does a typical week look like for a FIRST Robotics mentor or coach?

A typical week for a FIRST Robotics mentor or coach involves leading students through project planning, design brainstorming, prototype building, and programming sessions, often during after-school hours or weekends. Mentors coordinate with other team members, provide technical assistance, and help manage deadlines for submissions and competition preparations. Collaboration with teachers, parents, and local industry sponsors is also common, especially when organizing events or fundraising activities. The role is dynamic and rewarding, emphasizing hands-on learning, mentorship, and teamwork as students progress through different stages of the robotics season.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the First Robotics position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a FIRST Robotics mentor or coach position, strong knowledge of engineering principles, robotics design, and hands-on mechanical/electrical skills are fundamental, often supported by experience in STEM fields or education. Familiarity with tools such as CAD software, programming environments like LabVIEW or Java, and FIRST-specific hardware kits is essential. Leadership, teamwork, and effective communication are standout soft skills, as mentors collaborate closely with students and other volunteers. These abilities ensure successful guidance of robotics teams, foster student growth, and help meet competition goals in a dynamic, technical environment.

What job categories do people searching First Robotics jobs in Columbia, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for First Robotics jobs in Columbia, MD are:

Infographic showing various First Robotics job openings in Columbia, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,270 per year, or $45.8 per hour.

$137K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Technical Lead
Liquid Robotics is seeking a Technical Lead for project-level technical execution across customer-funded efforts, IR&D, and product development projects. The Technical Lead is the primary technical authority on assigned projects and is responsible for delivering against technical scope, schedule, cost, and quality objectives. This role works closely with engineering discipline leads to generate realistic schedules, identify and secure required resources, manage technical risk, and act as the bridge between project engineering teams and the Program Management Office (PMO).
This lead reports directly to our Head of Engineering and is based in Jessup, MD.
Essential Responsibilities
  • Own the technical solution on assigned projects: translate customer requirements and program objectives into executable technical plans and deliverables.
  • Work with discipline leads (systems, mechanical, electrical, software, test, and sustainment) to develop integrated technical schedules, resource plans, and risk/reduction strategies.
  • Maintain technical baseline for the project; review, approve, and coordinate engineering change requests (ECRs/ECOs) and design revisions necessary to meet project objectives.
  • Act as the primary technical interface between engineering teams and the PMO: provide clear technical input for status reporting, schedule forecasts, and technical presentations to stakeholders and customers.
  • Ensure engineering deliverables meet defined requirements and quality standards; that the overall designs are coherent across the functional disciplines and achievable within the cost/schedule budget; coordinate verification, validation, and qualification activities with Systems and Verification teams.
  • Proactively identify technical risks, implement mitigation plans, and escalate issues when necessary to protect project schedule and performance.
  • Facilitate and conduct cross-discipline technical reviews, design reviews, trade studies, and decision gates; ensure decisions are documented and communicated across the team.
  • Mentor and guide engineers on the project; help remove technical and cross-functional impediments to progress.
  • Coordinate with Manufacturing, QA, Field Support, and Supply Chain to ensure producibility, supportability, and smooth transition from development to production/sustainment.
  • Contribute to capture and proposal activities by providing credible technical approaches, schedules, and basis of estimates for engineering scope.
Key Attributes
  • Strong technical credibility and systems-thinking - able to balance technical rigor with programmatic constraints (schedule, cost, manufacturability).
  • Excellent collaborator and communicator - able to synthesize technical detail for program management and translate customer requirements for engineering teams.
  • Decisive and pragmatic - able to prioritize work, trade performance against risk/cost/time, and drive timely technical decisions.
  • Comfortable leading cross-disciplinary teams and influencing without always having direct authority.
  • Organized, proactive, and adept at maintaining visibility of multiple concurrent technical threads.
Minimum Qualifications
  • BS in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline; advanced degree strongly preferred.
  • 8+ years of relevant engineering experience in maritime, robotics, aerospace, defense, or related complex electro-mechanical systems.
  • Demonstrated experience leading technical execution on medium-to-large engineering projects, including schedule and resource planning, risk management, and cross-discipline coordination.
  • Experience working with systems engineering processes, requirements traceability, ECR/ECO workflows, and verification/validation activities.
  • Proven ability to create realistic technical schedules and resource estimates in collaboration with discipline leads.
  • Strong interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills; experience representing technical status to senior leadership and/or customers.
  • Familiarity with Wave Glider systems and maritime domain work is a plus.
U.S. Person status required.
Ability to obtain a US Secret Clearance required. Preference given to candidates with active security clearance at time of hire.
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Summary pay range: $137,600 - $189,200
Liquid Robotics designs and manufactures Wave Gliders, the first wave and solar powered autonomous ocean robots. With our partners we address many of the planet's greatest challenges, by transforming how to assess, monitor, and protect the ocean. We solve critical problems for defense, commercial, and science customers.
Visit us atwww.liquid-robotics.comto learn more.
Liquid Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
Employment Type: Full-Time