Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration – Weapons (R5427)

The role

You will develop and integrate autonomy software for launched effects platforms, owning major features from design through live flight testing and operational deployment. You will work with the Autonomy Capabilities and Perception teams, autopilot vendors, C2 providers and customer partners.

What you will do

• Develop and integrate autonomy software onto launched effects platforms, including payload computer bring-up and autopilot integration (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot).
• Own major features from software-in-the-loop through live flight testing and operational deployment.
• Drive technical execution, contribute to design decisions and mentor teammates.
• Partner with the Autonomy Capabilities and Perception teams, feature crews, autopilot vendors, C2 providers and customer partners.
• Contribute to design reviews, ICDs, integration planning and post-mortems.
• Build, configure and validate mission-ready systems for Capability Releases and fleet-scale deployments.
• Travel to test sites and customer exercises to support flight operations and mission execution.
• Diagnose and resolve integration issues across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems and platform interfaces.
• Capture mission and test data, reproduce issues in simulation and drive improvements into future releases.
• Implement and validate C2 interfaces supporting standards such as UCI, OMS, MOSA, WOSA and TAK/CoT.

Required qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically 5+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent advanced degree experience).
• Strong proficiency in C++ and experience developing or integrating real-time or embedded systems.
• Experience with Linux-based development and embedded systems.
• Experience integrating complex software and hardware systems.
• Experience supporting system integration, testing or field events.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Nice to have

• Experience with launched effects, unmanned systems or autonomous platforms.
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot or comparable autopilot stacks.
• Experience with multi-agent autonomy.
• Python, Docker, CMake/Conan or CI/CD experience.
• Experience supporting military field exercises or defense customers.

Benefits

• Full-time regular employees receive a bonus.
• Full-time regular employees receive benefits.
• Full-time regular employees receive equity.
• Temporary employees receive a temporary benefits package, applicable after 60 days of employment.

Before you apply

• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.
• The role requires the ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
• 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.