Chief Engineer – Autonomous Systems and Defence

Locations: Washington DC Baltimore Area

Team: Emerging Technologies

Estimated US Base Salary: Competitive rate

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Chief Engineer to lead the technical execution of complex defence autonomy programmes within an Emerging Technologies division.

This is a hands-on technical leadership position with responsibility for overall engineering outcomes, system architecture, technical decision-making, integration, and delivery. The successful candidate will act as the technical owner and engineering lead for mission-specific autonomous ground vehicle platforms across military and commercial applications.

You will take ownership of programmes from initial concept through system integration, testing, and final delivery, ensuring that each platform is fully integrated, reliable, safe, and capable of meeting operational requirements.

This is not a purely project coordination role. It requires strong technical judgement, systems-level thinking, direct problem-solving, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in demanding environments.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in systems integration, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or drive-by-wire technologies, alongside experience leading complex engineering programmes and engaging directly with government customers.

About the Company

The organisation develops advanced autonomous ground vehicle platforms and integrated technologies for defence, national security, and commercial applications.

Its focus is on delivering mission-ready autonomous systems capable of operating in complex and unpredictable environments, with an emphasis on reliability, survivability, safety, cybersecurity, and operational effectiveness.

Working closely with government agencies, military end-users, commercial partners, and technology suppliers, the business develops integrated solutions that combine autonomous software, vehicle hardware, sensing technologies, and mission-specific capabilities.

The Emerging Technologies division focuses on developing and delivering specialised autonomous platforms tailored to demanding operational requirements.

The Role

As Chief Engineer, you will hold overall technical accountability for complex defence autonomy programmes, defining the system architecture and leading engineering execution across software, electrical, mechanical, autonomy, systems engineering, and integration teams.

You will work directly with government customers, external partners, and suppliers to translate operational requirements into practical engineering solutions and ensure successful programme delivery.

The position requires someone who can operate independently, make high-impact technical decisions, manage programme risks, and maintain delivery momentum in a fast-moving environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Technical Leadership

• Lead the technical execution of complex autonomous vehicle programmes from concept through integration and delivery.
• Coordinate the software development lifecycle for integrated vehicle systems, ensuring robust autonomy and seamless interaction between subsystems.
• Define, manage, and own the logical and physical system architecture across software and hardware domains.
• Lead technical execution across multiple engineering disciplines, including software, electrical, mechanical, autonomy, systems engineering, and systems integration.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate technical and programme risks through proactive engineering decisions, design management, and schedule control.
• Own the engineering schedule and ensure alignment with programme milestones and delivery commitments.
• Collaborate directly with defence customers, industry partners, and vendors to agree on technical solutions and delivery milestones.

2. Systems Engineering and Integration

• Lead the development, decomposition, and management of system requirements and interface definitions.
• Maintain accountability for systems engineering outputs, working with dedicated resources and the wider engineering organisation.
• Ensure compliance with programme-specific standards and requirements, including MIL-STD-882E and NIST SP 800-53, where applicable.
• Define and maintain the system architecture across software and hardware components.
• Oversee the integration and commissioning of autonomous platforms and mission-specific payloads in field environments.
• Lead system-level verification and validation activities, including test campaigns, demonstrations, and operational trials.
• Ensure integrated systems meet technical, operational, safety, and performance requirements.

3. Cross-Functional Leadership and Influence

• Take full ownership of technical outcomes, even when operating without direct authority or detailed guidance.
• Resolve technical disagreements and organisational conflicts across engineering functions to maintain delivery momentum.
• Prioritise engineering tasks and allocate resources effectively in a changing programme environment.
• Provide technical direction to multidisciplinary teams and ensure alignment around programme objectives.
• Represent programmes during technical reviews, demonstrations, customer meetings, and key stakeholder engagements.
• Make informed technical decisions under pressure while balancing performance, risk, cost, and schedule considerations.

4. Engineering Documentation and Compliance

• Lead the creation, review, and management of essential engineering documentation and programme deliverables.
• Oversee the development of system requirements, interface control documents, cybersecurity compliance packages, safety analyses, and related technical artefacts.
• Ensure engineering documentation remains accurate, traceable, and aligned with programme requirements.
• Conduct or supervise integration, verification, validation, demonstration, and testing activities in laboratory and field environments.
• Ensure appropriate engineering processes and compliance requirements are followed throughout the programme lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline. Relevant fields include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
• Minimum of five years' experience in systems integration, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional engineering teams in complex or high-stakes environments.
• Strong technical background in autonomous systems, drive-by-wire technologies, or related vehicle control systems.
• Experience managing complex technical challenges involving multiple engineering disciplines.
• Ability to obtain a US Secret security clearance.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Ten or more years of experience in systems integration, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or related technologies.
• Experience developing or deploying robotics and autonomous systems for US Department of Defense applications.
• Experience working on Department of Defense acquisition programmes.
• Previous experience collaborating directly with military end-users or government customers.
• Experience delivering complex autonomous platforms from initial design through integration, testing, and operational deployment.

Compensation

The final compensation package will depend on several factors, including relevant professional experience, education, specialised training, technical expertise, and the responsibilities of the position.

Equity may also form part of the overall compensation package for eligible full-time roles.

Benefits

Full-time employees may be eligible for a competitive benefits package, including:

• Healthcare: Three medical plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with the employer covering 80% of premiums for employees and their dependants.
• Life and Disability Insurance: Employer-paid basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, alongside short-term and long-term disability coverage. Additional life insurance options are available.
• Paid Time Off: 20 days of accrued paid time off annually.
• Company Holidays: A generous holiday calendar, including a winter break in December.
• Parental Leave: At least seven weeks of fully paid parental leave for birth or adoption.
• Professional Development: Up to $9,000 annually for tuition reimbursement or professional development.
• Retirement Savings: A 401(k) retirement savings plan with traditional, Roth, and after-tax contribution options, including an employer match of up to 4%.
• Workplace Amenities: Office refreshments and beverages.

Further details regarding compensation, equity eligibility, and benefits will be provided during the recruitment process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The organisation is an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the position.