Senior Software Engineer, Autonomy Capabilities (R5339)

The role

This senior software engineer will design and build tactical autonomy algorithms that let unmanned aircraft fly complex missions across air, land and sea with minimal human supervision. The work includes multi-agent coordination, testing, field trials and integration on real platforms.

What you will do

• Design tactical autonomy algorithms for unmanned aircraft across air, land and sea domains
• Develop high-performance software for planning, decision-making and behavior execution
• Implement and test behavior architectures for multi-agent coordination, target engagement, reconnaissance and survivability
• Blend rule-based systems with learning-based methods such as reinforcement learning
• Work with perception, planning, simulation, hardware and flight test teams to integrate autonomy
• Deploy autonomy to real platforms and take part in field tests and flight demos
• Analyze mission logs and performance data to diagnose failures and improve behavior models
• Research and prototype new algorithms and contribute to the autonomy roadmap
• Adapt autonomy solutions to defense programs, compliance requirements and customer feedback

Required qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or similar, or equivalent practical experience
• Minimum 5 years related experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 4 years with a Master's, or 2 years with a PhD, or equivalent work experience
• Proficiency in C++ and Python
• Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS)
• Significant background in control systems, motion planning, optimization, tactical behaviors and/or distributed decision-making
• Significant experience with unmanned system technologies and algorithms, ideally in the space domain
• Experience with simulation tools such as AFSIM, NGTS or similar
• Strong problem-solving and system performance optimization skills
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills in a multidisciplinary environment
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance or higher

Nice to have

• Experience in multiple aerospace domains (air, land, sea, space)
• Experience across classical control, optimization and applied ML/RL
• Background in collaborative behaviors and swarm robotics
• Familiarity with DoD or government programs
• Hands-on experience supporting integration events, customer demos and/or live exercises

Benefits

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

Before you apply

• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance or higher 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.