Chief Engineer - Autonomous Systems (Robotics)

Location: Washington DC/Baltimore area; Clarksburg or Arlington. Travel up to 25% required.

Company

hirify.global develops autonomous ground vehicle platforms and integrated technologies for defence, national security, and commercial applications, combining autonomous software, vehicle hardware, sensing technologies, and mission-specific capabilities.

What you will do

• Lead the technical execution of complex autonomous vehicle programmes from concept through integration, testing, and delivery.
• Define and manage logical and physical system architecture across software and hardware domains.
• Coordinate engineering execution across software, electrical, mechanical, autonomy, systems engineering, and integration teams.
• Lead requirements decomposition, interface definition, platform integration, commissioning, and mission-payload integration.
• Direct verification, validation, demonstrations, operational trials, and field testing.
• Manage technical risks, schedules, documentation, compliance, and delivery milestones while working with defence customers, partners, and suppliers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline, including mechanical, electrical, computer, software, mechatronics, robotics, or aerospace engineering.
• At least five years of experience in systems integration, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or a closely related field; this includes experience with complex multidisciplinary technical challenges.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain a US Secret security clearance.
• Ability to make independent technical decisions, resolve cross-functional conflicts, and lead engineering outcomes without detailed guidance.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% as required.

Nice to have

• 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 with Department of Defense acquisition programmes and direct collaboration with military end-users or government customers.
• Experience delivering autonomous platforms from initial design through integration, testing, and operational deployment.

Culture & Benefits

• Permanent, full-time employment in an Emerging Technologies division focused on mission-ready autonomous systems.
• Healthcare options include an HSA-eligible plan, with the employer covering 80% of premiums for employees and dependants.
• Employer-paid basic life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
• 20 days of accrued paid time off annually, company holidays, and at least seven weeks of fully paid parental leave.
• Up to $9,000 annually for tuition reimbursement or professional development.
• 401(k) plan with traditional, Roth, and after-tax contributions and an employer match of up to 4%.