Senior Engineer, Autonomy (R5685)

Shieldai; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI, a defense-tech company, is seeking a Staff Engineer, Autonomy to design, build, and deploy autonomous capabilities for uncrewed systems. This hands-on role blends software, robotics, perception and path planning with real-world impact.

You’ll work at the intersection of AI, task & motion planning and controls, guiding architecture and mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Significant professional experience in robotics, autonomy, perception or aerospace systems.
• Strong experience in modern C++.
• Experience building and delivering reliable software systems in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement autonomous behaviours for uncrewed aircraft.
• Work with real sensor data and build robust sensor fusion solutions.
• Develop and test autonomy systems in high-fidelity software and hardware-in-the-loop simulations.
• Integrate Shield AI autonomy products with third-party aircraft and systems.
• Collaborate across AI, robotics, and systems engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Contribute to architecture, code quality, design reviews and best practices.
• Lead and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Modern C++

Robotics

Autonomy

Sensor fusion

Education

CS/Engineering degree

Tools

ROS

Linux

Job description

Job Description:

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Shield AI is a venture-backed defence technology company building intelligent autonomous systems for aircraft. Our mission is to protect service members and civilians through AI and autonomy.

We’re on the lookout for an experienced Staff Engineer, Autonomy to join our Hivemind Solutions team and help design, build, and deploy real-world autonomous capabilities for uncrewed systems. This is a hands‑on engineering role, blending software development with robotics, perception, and path planning. You’ll be joining a high‑performing team shaping the future of AI pilots for solving real‑world problems.

If you’re a capable C++ developer with a passion for robotics and autonomy, this is your chance to make a real impact.

As an Autonomy Engineer, you’ll work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, task & motion planning and controls.

• Design and implement autonomous behaviours for uncrewed aircraft.
• Work with real sensor data and build robust sensor fusion solutions.
• Develop and test autonomy systems in high‑fidelity software and hardware in-the-loop simulations.
• Integrate Shield AI autonomy products together with third‑party aircraft and systems.
• Collaborate across AI, robotics, and systems engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Contribute to architecture, code quality, design reviews and best practices.
• Lead and Mentor junior engineers

• A tertiary level qualification in Computer Science, Mechatronics, Software Engineering, Aerospace, Robotics or a related field
• Significant professional experience in robotics, autonomy, perception or aerospace systems
• Strong experience in modern C++
• Significant experience in building and delivering reliable software systems, ideally in fast‑paced environments

• Prior experience with uncrewed systems, especially in the air domain
• Defence industry experience
• Significant experience in one or more of the following domains:
• State Estimation
• Real‑Time Systems
• Guidance, Navigation and Control
• Path Planning

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.