Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration – Weapons (R5400)

The role

You will lead the technical delivery of autonomy capabilities for launched effects platforms. You will guide cross-team integration, field software on real hardware, and provide technical leadership during flight tests and deployments.

What you will do

• Lead technical execution of major autonomy capabilities and mentor engineers
• Develop and integrate autonomy software onto launched effects platforms
• Serve as primary technical interface with partner teams, autopilot vendors, C2 providers and customers
• Lead design reviews, architecture decisions and interface control documents
• Drive mission readiness for capability releases and fleet-scale deployments
• Provide on-site technical leadership during flight tests, demonstrations and operations
• Lead root-cause analysis across software, payload computers, embedded systems and networking
• Analyze mission data and drive corrective actions into future releases
• Build tools and processes that improve deployment velocity and reliability
• Drive implementation of command-and-control interfaces and open-systems standards

Required qualifications

• BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience
• Typically 7+ years of relevant experience
• Expert C++ and Linux development experience
• Experience leading complex autonomy or embedded software integration efforts
• Experience influencing technical direction across multiple engineering teams
• Experience supporting operational test events or customer deployments
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance

Nice to have

• Experience with launched effects or distributed autonomous systems
• Experience integrating PX4, ArduPilot, or custom autopilot solutions
• Experience with fleet-scale autonomous operations
• Experience with disconnected or air-gapped deployments
• Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical initiatives
• Experience with UCI, OMS, MOSA, WOSA, or TAK/CoT

Benefits

• Bonus
• Equity
• Benefits package for full-time regular employees

Before you apply

• Offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance is required
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits

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.