Staff Engineer, State Estimation (R5783)

The role

You will research and build state estimation and navigation algorithms that let autonomous systems navigate without GPS. You will write production C++ code for embedded robotic systems and build the tests, simulation tools and validation pipelines that go with it.

What you will do

• Research and develop state estimation and navigation algorithms for GPS-denied environments
• Design and deploy production-grade C++ software for embedded robotic systems
• Build and maintain unit, integration and system-level tests
• Develop and enhance modeling, calibration and simulation tools for inertial and vision-based navigation
• Contribute to roadmap planning, feature decomposition and agile execution with a multidisciplinary team
• Improve performance analysis, benchmarking and validation pipelines

Required qualifications

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science or a related field, with at least 2 years of related professional experience; or a new Ph.D. graduate with 0 years
• Professional proficiency in modern C++ (C++11 or newer) and strong object-oriented design
• Hands-on experience deploying low-latency C++ applications to embedded Linux platforms
• Professional experience designing and implementing state estimation algorithms (e.g., EKF, UKF, Particle Filters, graph-based optimization)
• Familiarity with VIO, SLAM or multi-sensor fusion frameworks (e.g., GTSAM, Ceres, OpenVINS)
• Strong working knowledge of CI pipelines and automated testing frameworks for C++
• Ability to independently deploy high-reliability code for real-world autonomous systems

Nice to have

• Deep understanding of graph-based optimization for state estimation
• Experience developing vision-aided inertial navigation systems (VINS, VIO, Terrain Relative Navigation)
• Experience with navigation sensor calibration (IMU, GPS, barometers, magnetometers, laser altimeters, cameras)
• Experience in benchmarking and system validation for real-world navigation performance

Benefits

• Bonus (full-time regular employees)
• Equity (full-time regular employees)
• Benefits package (full-time regular employees; not military fellows or part-time employees)
• Temporary benefits package after 60 days of employment (temporary employees)

Before you apply

• Offers are contingent on a cleared background check and possible reference check
• Pay depends on skill set, experience level, licenses and certifications, and work location
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits
• Primary experience in MATLAB or Python alone is unlikely to be a good fit; professional C++ production deployment skills are required

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.