Physical AI Engineer, Lead

Join Booz Allen Hamilton to lead the architecture, development, and deployment of Physical AI systems that help autonomous systems and embodied agents operate in the real world. This onsite role in Washington, DC combines end-to-end ownership across autonomy, learning, simulation, and real-world transfer, alongside mission and research stakeholders. You will also play a visible role representing Booz Allen in technical exchanges and client engagements.

What you’ll do

• 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 that combines 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, establishing engineering best practices and technical standards.
• Partner 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: reinforcement learning, imitation learning, robot learning, computer vision, planning, autonomous navigation, manipulation, sensor fusion, multimodal AI, or foundation models.
• Proficiency with Python and C++, and experience with modern AI frameworks such as 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.

Technologies you may work with

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

Compensation

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 acknowledging employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of Booz Allen’s values
• Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis may participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs

Nice if you have

• Experience publishing research in robotics, embodied AI, or machine learning
• Experience with robot foundation models, world modeling, and digital twins
• Experience in 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

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.
• Identity verification process uses advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud.
• Interview and assessment sessions may require being on camera; Booz Allen reserves the right to take your picture to verify identity and prevent fraud.

Candidate AI usage policy

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

Work model

Onsite: work will primarily be performed full-time at a customer facility, with collaboration alongside colleagues and customers as required by the role.

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.