Physical AI Engineer, Lead

Lead the architecture, development, and deployment of Physical AI systems for autonomous systems and embodied agents, combining end-to-end strategy across autonomy, learning, simulation, and real-world transfer. Partner with mission and research stakeholders to bring innovations into production-grade robotic and multimodal AI capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, development, and deployment of Physical AI systems for autonomous systems and embodied agents.
• Design and implement models for perception, planning, motion control, manipulation, navigation, and sensor fusion.
• Build large-scale training pipelines using simulation, synthetic data generation, imitation learning, and reinforcement learning.
• Integrate multimodal AI, including vision, language, and action models, into real-world physical AI platforms.
• Translate research innovations, including robot learning, foundation models, and world models, into production-ready solutions.
• Mentor and guide senior engineers while establishing engineering best practices and technical standards.
• Collaborate with business, research, and mission stakeholders to define strategy and evaluate emerging technologies.
• Represent Booz Allen in industry forums, technical exchanges, and client engagements.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience developing AI, robotics, autonomous systems, or machine learning solutions.
• Experience delivering production AI systems from concept through deployment.
• Experience with one or more of the following: reinforcement learning, imitation learning, robot learning, computer vision, planning, autonomous navigation, manipulation, sensor fusion, multimodal AI, or foundation models.
• Experience with Python and C++, and modern AI frameworks including PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow, or Ray.
• Experience with robotic middleware and simulators such as ROS, ROS2, Isaac Sim, MuJoCo, or Gazebo.
• Ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
• Master’s degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience publishing research in robotics, embodied AI, or machine learning.
• Experience with robot foundation models, world modeling, and digital twins.
• Experience with humanoid robotics, dexterous manipulation, or mobile robotics.
• Experience with distributed training, GPU acceleration, and edge or embedded deployment.
• Experience contributing to open-source AI or robotics ecosystems.
• Doctorate degree in CS, Robotics, AI, EE, or ME.

Technologies

• Python, C++
• PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow, Ray
• ROS, ROS2
• Isaac Sim, MuJoCo, Gazebo

Work Location and Model

Location: Washington, DC (onsite). Work will primarily be performed full-time at a customer facility, with direct collaboration with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Compensation

Salary range: USD 112,800 - 257,000 per year.

Benefits

• Health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits.
• Paid leave.
• Professional development.
• Tuition assistance.
• Work-life programs.
• Dependent care.
• Recognition awards program that acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of the company’s values.
• Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs.

Security and Identity Requirements

• Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• Complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud.
• Be expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments.
• Booz Allen reserves the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.