Senior Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5193)

The role

You will write autonomy code for unmanned platforms and own it from software-in-the-loop through live test exercises. You will set technical direction across multiple programs and mentor senior engineers.

What you will do

• Develop and integrate autonomy software onto unmanned platforms (air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables)
• Set technical direction across multiple programs and drive the autonomy reference implementation
• Represent the team to engineering leadership, customer/program offices, standards bodies and external partners
• Mentor senior engineers and other team leads
• Drive cross-team design reviews, architecture documents and post-mortems
• Own build, configuration and validation of mission-ready systems before deployment
• Travel to test sites and support live mission operations, including troubleshooting under time pressure
• Diagnose and resolve hardware and software integration issues in lab and field environments
• Set the strategy for C2 interoperability and own compliance with C2 standards
• Define the skills bar and hiring strategy for senior roles in your area

Required qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar, or equivalent practical experience
• Typically 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's; 9 years with a Master's; or 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience
• Proficiency in C++, including real-time or latency-sensitive systems
• Proficiency in Linux-based development, embedded systems, shell scripting and system diagnostics
• Familiarity with middleware, pub-sub or IPC frameworks (e.g., DDS, message buses)
• Hands-on experience supporting demos, exercises or field/mission tests for unmanned or autonomous systems
• Experience with autonomy simulation environments for testing and validation
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple teams or driving cross-program technical initiatives from concept through fielded delivery
• Track record as the subject-matter expert sought across engineering on hard, ambiguous problems
• Track record of setting forward-looking technical strategy and adjusting course as priorities evolve
• Track record of mentoring senior engineers and team leads
• Experience shaping architecture decisions, interface contracts and standards across multiple teams

Nice to have

• Direct experience supporting unmanned systems or similar field test campaigns
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation and analysis
• Experience leading multiple programs in an unmanned systems context
• Experience interfacing with customers and external stakeholders and briefing senior leadership
• Track record of improvements spanning the broader engineering organization
• Familiarity with autonomy stacks, motion planning or vehicle-control integration
• Competence in vehicle electronics bring-up, payload computer integration or hardware-in-the-loop debugging
• Experience with container orchestration (e.g., k3s, k3d, Docker) on embedded or payload compute
• Familiarity with platform control or autopilot stacks (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot)
• Proficiency in developing automation tools for system testing, logging and data parsing

Benefits

• Full-time regular employee package: pay within range, bonus, benefits and equity
• Temporary employee package: pay within range plus temporary benefits package applicable after 60 days of employment

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.