Senior Staff Software Engineer, Autonomy Capabilities (R4587)

The role

This role designs and builds tactical autonomy software for unmanned aircraft and multi-agent systems, working across air, land and sea domains. The work includes field testing and flight demos on real platforms.

What you will do

• Design tactical autonomy algorithms for unmanned aircraft to perform complex missions with minimal human supervision.
• Develop high-performance software for planning, decision-making and behavior execution in dynamic and adversarial environments.
• Implement and test behavior architectures for multi-agent coordination, target engagement, reconnaissance and survivability.
• Blend rule-based autonomy with learning-based methods such as reinforcement learning.
• Work with perception, planning, simulation, hardware and flight test teams to integrate autonomy on real platforms.
• Deploy autonomy capabilities to real platforms and take part in field tests and flight demos.
• Analyze mission logs and performance data to diagnose failures and optimize behavior models.
• Contribute to the autonomy roadmap by prototyping new algorithms and identifying capability gaps.
• Adapt autonomy solutions to evolving defense mission sets, compliance requirements and operational feedback.

Required qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; 9 years with a Master's; or 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python and familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Significant background in motion planning, behavior modeling, decision-making or autonomous system design.
• Significant experience with unmanned system technologies and algorithms, specifically in the air domain.
• Experience with simulation tools and environments such as AFSIM or NGTS.
• Strong problem-solving skills for troubleshooting and optimizing system performance.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Nice to have

• Experience applying ML/RL techniques in autonomy pipelines.
• Background in collaborative behaviors, swarm robotics or distributed decision-making.
• Familiarity with tactical behaviors for unmanned systems in DoD or government programs.
• Work on behaviors applicable across air, ground and maritime vehicles.
• Hands-on experience supporting flight demos or live exercises.
• Experience with UCI and OMS Standards.

Benefits

• Bonus for full-time regular employees.
• Equity for full-time regular employees.
• Benefits package for full-time regular employees.
• Temporary benefits package, applicable after 60 days of employment for temporary employees.

Before you apply

• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.
• Pay varies by skill set, experience, licenses, certifications and work location.

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.