Manager, Software - Perception (R3770)

The role

This role leads technical teams on autonomy, integration and testing, and develops perception algorithms for unmanned aircraft. The work covers object detection, sensor fusion and state estimation using data from sensors such as EO/IR cameras, radars and IMUs.

What you will do

• Lead teams across autonomy, integration and testing, and resolve cross-functional challenges
• Design and implement algorithms for object detection, classification and multi-target tracking
• Integrate data from vision systems, radars and other sensors using fusion techniques
• Design algorithms for localization and pose estimation using IMU, GPS, vision and other inputs
• Interpret interface control documents and sensor specifications
• Tune and evaluate perception pipelines for performance and real-time efficiency
• Work with autonomy teams to connect perception outputs to planning and decision-making
• Validate algorithms using synthetic data, simulation and field testing
• Work with hardware and sensor teams to integrate algorithms with onboard compute and payloads

Required qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience
• Minimum 7 years related experience with a Bachelor's degree, 5 years with a Master's, or 4 years with a PhD, or equivalent
• 5+ years of experience in Unmanned Systems programs in the DoD or applied R&D
• 2+ years of people leadership experience
• Background implementing Kalman Filters, multi-target tracking or deep learning detection models
• Familiarity with fusing radar, EO/IR and other sensor data
• Familiarity with SLAM, visual-inertial odometry or sensor-fused localization
• Ability to interpret and work with Interface Control Documents and hardware specs
• Proficiency with version control, debugging and test-driven development
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance

Nice to have

• Hands-on integration or algorithm development with airborne sensing systems
• Experience with PyTorch or TensorFlow for vision-based detection or classification
• Experience deploying perception software on SWaP-constrained platforms
• Experience validating perception systems in flight tests or operational environments
• Understanding of sensing challenges in denied or degraded conditions
• Exposure to perception across air, maritime and ground platforms

Benefits

• Bonus
• Benefits package
• Equity (full-time regular employees)
• Temporary benefits package after 60 days (temporary employees)

Before you apply

• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance is required
• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits
• Travel of about 10-15% of the year is required

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.