Robotics (&AI) Engineer
Location: Norfolk, VA
Employment Type: Full-time
Travel: Up to 30 days per year
Security Clearance: Active DoD security clearance required

Role Overview
We are seeking an Robotics & AI Engineer to design, prototype, integrate, and support innovative technology solutions across robotics, autonomous systems, IoT, sensing, and edge AI. This role combines applied technology engineering with hands-on prototyping, systems integration, and software-enabled robotics with emerging AI and autonomy capabilities. The successful candidate will help deliver practical, mission-relevant solutions that can move quickly from concept to experimentation to operational use in the multi-domain (marine, air, land).

Key Responsibilities

Deliver integrated hardware and technology solutions to support innovation projects in robotics, autonomous systems, IoT, radio links, and sensing.
Design, BOMs, prototypes, and refine electronic and electromechanical components using 3D printing, soldering, wiring, PCB design and related fabrication methods.
Integrate and apply sensing technologies such as EO, IR, LiDAR, IMUs, GPS, accelerometers, and related components to support perception, navigation, localization, and autonomous behaviors.
Work with robotics and sensor data pipelines and formats, including MCAP, to support system integration, testing, and analysis.
Develop and support robotics and autonomy solutions using ROS/ROS2, URDF, and related robotics frameworks and tooling.
Integrate electronics with software (ie. Mqtt), networks (ie. Lora), and embedded or edge-computing platforms (ie. Nvidia) to ensure secure, resilient, and reliable system performance.
Produce clear technical documentation, including technical guides, user and administrator instructions, integration notes, and step-by-step procedures in platforms such as Confluence.
Collaborate closely with software developers, engineers, and operational users to deliver integrated, mission-focused solutions.
Perform additional tasks related to innovation and technology integration support.

Beneficial/Preferred:

Apply knowledge of AI on the edge, machine vision, and advanced sensors to practical field-ready solutions.
Apply sensor fusion and state estimation techniques, including Kalman Filters, to improve robotic and autonomous system performance.
Use Agile, Design Thinking, and First Principles iterative prototyping methods to explore, validate, and refine innovative concepts.

Required Qualifications

Active DoD security clearance.
Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Electronics Engineering, Information Technology, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline.
Strong hands-on prototyping and fabrication skills, including 3D printing, soldering, wiring, PCB design, and schematic drafting.
Professional experience in robotics, autonomous systems, applied electronics, or integrated technology development.
Experience with autonomy-related technologies and robotics software integration. (ie. Experience using URDF to model robot structure, sensors, and kinematics in ROS/ROS2-based systems and MCAP.)
Experience integrating sensors (ie. LiDAR, IMUs, GPS, accelerometers, and or related sensing technologies) into prototype systems.
Ability to document solutions effectively in technical manuals, user/admin guides, and collaboration platforms such as Confluence/Jira/Gitlab etc.
Familiarity with Agile and Design Thinking practices applied to prototyping and user-centered experimentation.
Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional and interdisciplinary teams.
Proficiency in standard business tools such as Google Suite / Microsoft Office and collaborative software tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with robotics visualization, simulation, or testing tools.
Familiarity with low-bandwidth, radio-enabled, or distributed sensing environments.
Experience with AI on the edge, machine vision, and embedded or real-time processing.
Experience supporting field-based experimentation environments.

What You’ll Bring
You are a hands-on engineer who is comfortable working across hardware, software, robotics, autonomy, and sensing challenges. You can move from concept to prototype to integrated solution, and you bring the technical judgment to apply emerging technologies in practical, mission-driven ways. You thrive in collaborative environments, enjoy solving complex real-world problems, and can translate technical innovation into solutions that users can understand and employ.

How to Apply
Email your resume to jobs@idw.inc with the subject line: "AI & Robotics Engineer" or respond to this job posting via the included web application.

Ironclad Defense Works is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site