Robotics Lab Operator Salary Area Jobs in Virginia

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We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Robotics Validation & Release Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will lead the definition and execution of the end-to-end validation and release strategy for the software that powers Maximo, our solar module installation robotic system. This includes, but is not limited to, the testing and validation of perception, autonomy, controls, safety, and system services before any release is deployed to production robots operating on active construction sites.
You will establish clear release criteria, quality gates, and verification and validation plans that scale with fleet growth. You will be accountable for executing tests and validation activities across simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, lab systems, and field environments for all software releases and changes. You will also be responsible for ensuring that performance, reliability, and safety requirements are met prior to production deployment.
You will leverage your expertise in robotics, simulation, testing, and system validation to troubleshoot and solve complex challenges while working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure features are properly validated, improvements are clearly communicated, and software versions are tracked and controlled. You will play a key role in ensuring Maximo's software is integrated, verified, and validated before deployment to production robots in the field. In this role, you will translate product-level requirements into structured validation plans, release criteria, and repeatable deployment processes for a rugged outdoor robotic platform.
A successful candidate is strongly motivated and passionate about solving robotics problems and pushing the boundaries of what is possible today. This individual will be entrepreneurial, mission-driven, and responsible for progressing, developing, and executing the validation and release roadmap for our solar module installation robotic system.
This person will take ownership of defining release criteria and quality gates, validating robotics solutions before deployment, and ensuring the system meets requirements and performance targets. In addition, this individual will be responsible for improving documentation, strengthening validation processes, and maintaining disciplined development and release practices.
A strong candidate has a solid technical understanding of robotics system architecture, development, and validation practices, combined with hands-on experience working with robotics stacks such as ROS 2, C++, real-time communication, mobility, and sensor fusion for autonomous mobile systems.
As a specialist in the Maximo business, this position will work collaboratively across the Maximo, external industry partners across the value chain, and AES teams, including engineering, business development, construction, finance, supply chain, and strategy.
Major Responsibilities

• Define validation strategy and test coverage expectations across unit, integration, system, regression, and endurance testing
• Own the software release process end-to-end, from release planning through deployment and post-release verification.
• Build and maintain a release readiness framework (entry/exit criteria, go/no-go checklists, sign-offs, and rollback plans).
• Develop and maintain CI pipelines and automated regression suites; ensure results are visible, actionable, and trusted.
• Coordinate system-level verification across simulation, HIL, lab rigs, and field test robots; standardize test environments.
• Establish performance benchmarks and acceptance thresholds for critical behaviors (accuracy, latency, stability, uptime, safety).
• Partner with engineering and product leads to translate product requirements into testable acceptance criteria and validation plans.
• Own release documentation including release notes, known issues, validation reports, and deployment playbooks.
• Ensure safe deployment practices and alignment with applicable safety standards and operational constraints in the field.
• Establish verification and validation practices: architecture reviews, test plans, performance benchmarks, and traceability from requirements to tests.
• Design, develop, implement and troubleshoot robotics systems for various components, including robotics, servomotors, variety of automation sensors, vision systems, battery management and safety components.
• Ensure seamless integration of robotic systems with other components and systems.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation of robotics systems to meet performance and safety requirements
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful integration of robotics solutions into complex systems.
• Build scenario libraries (terrain/slope, occlusions, lighting, sensor noise) + acceptance metrics
• Simulation-to-field correlation (validate sensor models vs real logs)
• Support transition from simulation to real-world testing by creating test procedures, instrumentation, and debugging workflows; help close gaps between simulation and field
• Develop and maintain robotic system architecture, ensuring continuous improvement and innovation.
• Design, develop and implement advanced algorithms for real-time tasks such as trajectory generation, motion control, robotics motion, and system optimization.
• Research, develop, implement, and test new capabilities for industrial robotics

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 6+ years of work experience in robotics system.
• Proven track record owning releases for systems that include embedded/real-time components and hardware interfaces.
• Hands-on experience with automated testing frameworks, CI/CD, and test infrastructure (e.g., Python tooling, Docker, build systems).
• Experience designing test plans and validation strategies for autonomy/robotics or safety-critical systems is strongly preferred.
• Strong debugging skills across software/hardware boundaries; ability to reproduce and isolate field issues systematically.
• Comfort with uncertainty and fast iteration; ability to balance speed and rigor while maintaining high quality standards.
• Strong theoretical foundation in robotics software and system architecture.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as C++, Python
• Proficiency in ROS2 and experience with ROS hardware integration
• Experience with robotics simulation and digital twins.
• Experience with middleware and networking considerations (DDS, QoS, latency/jitter, time synchronization) in distributed robotic systems.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex robotics systems to market
• Knowledge of robotics platforms and sensor systems.
• Founder's mentality: Entrepreneurial passion for getting things done and a "make it happen" attitude with an intellectual curiosity to seek new opportunities.
• Skill and Behavior: Capability to work dynamically and collaboratively across multiple teams in a fast-paced and technical business environment with minimal supervision. Excellent communication skills. Results-oriented, "can-do" attitude, and "get things done" mentality; comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity; no compromise on attention to quality and details.
• Technology fluency: Demonstrated ability to understand solar engineering and technology concepts, question assumptions, and make informed product and technology decisions. Technical understanding of automation, robotics, computer vision, machine learning and/or artificial intelligence, is a plus.

Be a part of the change and join Maximo at AES!
Start Date: ASAP
Travel: 60% travel
Languages: English required
AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.
The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $145,000 and $181,050/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position also includes annual bonus. The benefits offered for this position are: medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, 401(k) eligibility, and paid time off (including vacation, sick leave time, and parental leave). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Apply by clicking the application link below and submitting your information. The deadline to apply for this role is 08/23/2026