Senior Autonomy Engineer - 26660 (Software Engineer 4)
Date: Jan 14, 2026
Location: Virginia Beach, VA, Virginia, United States
Company: HII's Mission Technologies division
Requisition Number: 26660
Required Travel: 26 - 50%
Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Anticipated Salary Range: $117,262.00 - $167,518.00
Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain
Level of Experience: Senior
This opportunity resides with Uncrewed Systems (UxS), a business group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. Uncrewed Systems comprises unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and autonomy software.
HII creates advanced unmanned solutions for defense, marine research and commercial applications. Serving customers in more than 30 countries, HII provides design, autonomy, manufacturing, testing, operations and sustainment of unmanned systems, including unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs).
Meet HII’s Mission Technologies Division
Our team of more than 7,000 professionals worldwide delivers all-domain expertise and advanced technologies in service of mission partners across the globe. Mission Technologies is leading the next evolution of national defense – the data evolution - by accelerating a breadth of national security solutions for government and commercial customers. Our capabilities range from C5ISR, AI and Big Data, cyber operations and synthetic training environments to fleet sustainment, environmental remediation and the largest family of unmanned underwater vehicles in every class. Find the role that’s right for you. Apply today. We look forward to meeting you.
To learn more about Mission Technologies, click here for a short video: https://vimeo.com/732533072
Come Join HII! Where Hard Stuff is Done Right!
HII Unmanned Systems (UxS) are seeking a senior autonomy engineer to join our growing team in support of the next generation of maritime robotics to advance Autonomous and AI command and control (C2) framework within our ODYSSEY autonomy suite that is hosted on our REMUS and ROMULUS autonomous vehicles. You will be working with a world-class interdisciplinary team to deploy advanced autonomous maritime solutions for defense, marine research, and commercial applications. With HII serving unmanned system customers in more than 30 countries, the autonomy team is at the core of the solution space for unmanned platform design, autonomy and AI deployment, user interface, platform manufacturing and testing and operations and sustainment of unmanned systems and their auxiliary equipment.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Designing, implementing, and validating multi-vehicle, multi-domain C2 behaviors, including collaborative contact management, sensor control, and fire control
- Developing and integrating sensor-driven perception capabilities to enable autonomous situational awareness, contact tracking, and environmental understanding
- Designing, implementing, and validating intelligent communication networks given operational environment challenges and mission priorities
- Works with the ODYSSEY product owner and management to help define and assign tasking
- Responsible for estimating and managing tasks
- Ensure that design choices and verification methodologies support product requirements and product development processes are followed within program timelines
- Participates in and/or leads Peer Reviews, Design Reviews, and customer meetings as needed
- Works well in a multi-disciplinary team environment
- Demonstrate the ability to be creative and innovative and assist in developing unique, differentiated solutions to complex problems in a continuous improvement environment
- Contribute to the autonomy roadmap by researching and prototyping new algorithms, identifying tactical capability gaps, and proposing novel solutions.
- Analyze mission logs and performance data to diagnose failures, optimize behavior models, and inform iterative development.
- Work at the intersection of classical autonomy and machine learning, blending rule-based systems with learning-based methods such as reinforcement learning to achieve robust, adaptive behavior
What you will be doing...
What We Are Looking For...
- 9 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 7 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 13 years relevant experience.
- Minimum of 2 years prior engineering and team leadership experience
- Thorough understanding of engineering and software programming fundamentals
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, decompose complex technical problems, make design decisions and take appropriate action that leads to acceptable solutions
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a government clearance #LI-MH1
Bonus Points For...
Experience with the following preferred:
- Experience building complex systems, including autonomous platforms and edge devices
- Experience in applying machine learning to autonomous behaviors, mission planning, and situational awareness processing
- Strong Proficiency in C++ and Python; familiarity with robotics frameworks such as ROS, DDS, or similar
- Experience with embedded Linux systems and embedded software development
- Modular Open System Architectures (MOSA)
- Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA)
- Familiarity with kill chain automation concepts, including sense, control, engage
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
Physical Requirements
HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a new future. We offer competitive benefits such as best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships. Bonus/other non-recurrent compensation is occasionally offered for qualified positions, and if applicable to this role will be addressed by the recruiter at the screening phase of application.
Why HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.