The Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics (CMAR) at Virginia Tech seeks a Marine Robotics Engineer to design, develop, integrate, test, and deploy electrical, embedded, and software systems for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and related marine robotic platforms supporting sponsored engineering research. The position applies engineering principles to translate project requirements into assigned system designs, prototypes, and validated technical solutions.

Working with faculty, senior engineering and research personnel, students, and project collaborators, the engineer will carry out defined technical assignments with professional judgment and appropriate review of designs, testing, and safety-critical decisions. Work includes embedded electronics, firmware, power and communications, sensors, actuators, onboard computing, robotic software, and system-level integration. The position is a restricted staff appointment contingent upon continued funding and satisfactory performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, robotics, computer science, or a closely related field, and/or an equivalent level of training and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical, embedded, or robotic systems gained through coursework, capstone projects, undergraduate research, internships, or employment.
• History of working ability to develop, test, or troubleshoot software using a programming language such as Python, C++, or MATLAB, demonstrated through academic or applied projects.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret technical requirements, document engineering work, analyze test results, and communicate findings within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to follow laboratory and field safety requirements and work collaboratively on technical projects.
• This position requires eligibility to access and handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), which requires U.S. citizenship. The position may also require the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

• Experience with ROS/ROS2, Linux, Git, or embedded firmware development.
• Experience integrating sensors, actuators, motor controllers, onboard computers, or communications interfaces.
• Experience with marine robotic platforms, autonomous systems, field testing, or challenging-environment robotics.
• Experience with PCB design, autonomy, perception, localization, or system-level verification.

4

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Restricted

$80,000-$105,000, Commensurate with Experience

40

November 25, 2026

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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