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Robotics Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Using robotics, computational design, and AI, our systems turn today's e-waste into resilient, data ... As a Robotics Engineer (Path Planning) , you will: * Design and implement motion and path planning ...

\n \n \n \n \n Robotics Engineer \n \n \n Remote \- USA \n \n \n \n \n \n ShortList has partnered ... Strong LiDAR SLAM skills \- overseeing the design and development of real\-time SLAM algorithms in ...

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Robotics Tutor

Salem, VA · Remote

$40/hr

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Mechanical Engineer - Robotics

Sterling, VA

$105.50K - $139.30K/yr

Senior Robotics Engineer (Mechanical & Systems) Job Summary: An innovative robotics and data ... Design and fabricate mechanical systems for advanced robotics applications. * Develop and integrate ...

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Showing results 1-20

Robotics Design Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$28.8K

$104.7K

$167.6K

How much do robotics design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotics design engineer in Virginia is $104,699.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,800.00 and $125,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Robotics Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Robotics Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering, usually with a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Proficiency in CAD software, programming languages like Python or C++, and experience with robotics platforms such as ROS are commonly required. Strong problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork skills help set candidates apart in this field. These skills ensure the effective design, integration, and troubleshooting of advanced robotic systems for diverse applications.

What are some common challenges faced by Robotics Design Engineers when transitioning prototypes to mass production?

Robotics Design Engineers often encounter challenges when moving from prototype development to mass production, such as ensuring component reliability, optimizing designs for manufacturability, and maintaining cost efficiency without sacrificing performance. They must collaborate closely with manufacturing teams to refine product designs, address supply chain constraints, and ensure that regulatory standards are met. Effective communication and iterative testing are essential to identify and resolve issues early, facilitating a smoother transition to large-scale manufacturing.

What does a Robotics Design Engineer do?

A Robotics Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing robotic systems and components. They use principles from mechanical, electrical, and software engineering to create robots that can perform specific tasks or functions. Their work involves creating blueprints, modeling designs, selecting appropriate materials, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the robots meet performance and safety standards. Robotics Design Engineers also troubleshoot and refine prototypes, ensuring their reliability and efficiency before deployment. This role is crucial in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and automation.

What is the difference between Robotics Design Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectRobotics Design EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Robotics, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; often certifications in robotics or automationBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; professional engineering license (PE) optional)
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, robotics development facilities, manufacturing settingsManufacturing plants, design offices, research labs
Industry UsageRobotics companies, automation firms, research institutionsManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, product design
Common Search/ComparisonRobotics Design Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer

Robotics Design Engineers focus on creating robotic systems, integrating sensors, actuators, and control systems, often requiring knowledge of electronics and programming. Mechanical Engineers design and analyze mechanical components and systems, with a broader scope across various industries. While both roles require engineering degrees, Robotics Design Engineers typically have specialized skills in robotics and automation, making them distinct yet overlapping with Mechanical Engineers in certain projects.

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Robotics Design Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Robotics Design Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Robotics Design Engineer job openings in Virginia as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,699 per year, or $50.3 per hour.

Robotics Engineer (Path Planning)

Molg

Sterling, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

ABOUT US

Hey! We’re Molg 👋 We’re building robotic systems that make electronics manufacturing circular. We work with hyperscalers and leading electronics manufacturers to automate how hardware is designed, manufactured, disassembled, repaired, reused, and recovered. Using robotics, computational design, and AI, our systems turn today’s e-waste into resilient, data-driven supply chains—and change how electronics are made in the first place.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:

Join a cross-functional team of robotics, software, and mechanical engineers to build the motion planning core that powers Molg’s robotic microfactories. As a Robotics Engineer (Path Planning), you will:

  • Design and implement motion and path planning algorithms for arm-based industrial robots operating in dense, multi-arm robotic cells.

  • Develop robust collision detection and avoidance systems that account for robot geometry, tooling, fixtures, and dynamic obstacles.

  • Build and maintain multi-arm coordination strategies, including synchronization, shared workspace reasoning, and deadlock avoidance.

  • Integrate motion planning systems with real robotic hardware, controllers, and higher-level task planning software.

  • Tune planners for real-world execution, balancing optimality, speed, determinism, and safety under production constraints.

  • Work closely with mechanical and systems engineers to ensure motion plans are feasible given real tolerances, compliance, and variability.

  • Debug and improve robot behavior using data from live cells, logs, and telemetry—not just simulation results.

  • Contribute to architectural decisions around planning frameworks, kinematics representations, and system performance.

You’ll have the opportunity to build alongside an incredible team, develop innovative solutions, and grow in a fast-paced environment that values autonomy and impact.

WHO YOU ARE:

You are a hands-on robotics engineer who understands that planning only matters if it works on real robots. You bring:

  • Strong experience with motion and path planning for arm-based robots (industrial or collaborative).

  • Solid understanding of collision detection, geometric reasoning, and kinematics in constrained environments.

  • Experience coordinating multiple robotic arms operating in shared or overlapping workspaces.

  • Proficiency in C++ and/or Python for robotics and performance-critical systems.

  • Comfort working with robotics middleware and frameworks (e.g., ROS2, custom planners).

  • Ability to work in-person at Molg HQ in Sterling, VA.

WHO WE ARE:

We spend our days building robotic systems, developing complex assembly intelligence software, and designing the next generation of circular products for our customers. Given the importance of working hands-on with physical systems, the majority of our team is in-person collaboratively working in our industrial space in Sterling, VA, down the road from the largest data center market in the world. Our facility includes a variety of robots, CNC milling machines, 3D printers, and all the tools needed to build and test our products. It is important to us that anyone on our team that is interested in learning how to use our various pieces of equipment and machinery is taught and can gain the skills and appreciation for making physical things.

THINGS TO KNOW:

  • We’re a hands on collaborative team with big ambitions, and there’s a good amount of context-switching. We expect people to be autonomous and drive their own work to completion.

  • We are scrappy and looking to build a great sustainable company for years to come.

  • As a growing company and startup, priorities may shift as customer or business requirements change. We strive to empower individuals with context and decision-making power to meet this need.