Senior Autonomy Flight Systems Engineer

f7d8749a-72d6-407c-bf98-292ea630c73a; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in the United Kingdom seeks a Flight Integration Engineer to lead system integration of autonomy software on unmanned aircraft and to coordinate pre-flight readiness and on-site flight tests. You will troubleshoot complex stacks, manage flight data, and collaborate with autonomy, GNC, and test teams to ensure mission-ready performance.

Ideal candidates have hands-on flight demo experience, strong problem-solving skills, and a background in ROS/DDS middleware, Linux, and embedded

Qualifications

• BS/MS in CS, EE, ME, Aerospace or equivalent.
• 7+ years with a Bachelor’s, or 5 years with a Master’s, or 4 years with a PhD or equivalent.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python; RTOS familiarity.
• Linux-based development; embedded systems; shell scripting; diagnostics.
• Knowledge of sensor integration, sensor fusion, and middleware (ROS, DDS).
• Hands-on experience supporting flight demos or live exercises.
• Experience with simulation tools for testing and validation.
• Strong problem-solving and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• System Integration & Deployment — Integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft systems.
• Pre-flight Preparation — Own build, configuration, and validation for flight-ready systems.
• On-site Flight Test Support — Travel to test sites and support live flight operations.
• Hardware/Software Debugging — Diagnose and resolve integration issues across stacks and embedded systems.
• Flight Data Capture & Analysis — Manage data collection during missions and post-test analysis.
• Collaboration Across Teams — Work with autonomy, GNC, systems, and test teams.
• Continuous Improvement — Build tools to improve timelines, reliability, and efficiency.
• Support Certification and Compliance — Assist with documentation for certification and airworthiness.
• Travel Requirement — 30-40% travel to location/sites.

Skills

C++

Python

RTOS

Linux

Sensor fusion

ROS

DDS

Flight tests

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

BS/MS in CS/EE/ME/Aerospace or equivalent

Tools

ROS

DDS

Job description

Shield AI in the United Kingdom seeks a Flight Integration Engineer to lead system integration of autonomy software on unmanned aircraft and to coordinate pre-flight readiness and on-site flight tests. You will troubleshoot complex stacks, manage flight data, and collaborate with autonomy, GNC, and test teams to ensure mission-ready performance.

Ideal candidates have hands-on flight demo experience, strong problem-solving skills, and a background in ROS/DDS middleware, Linux, and embedded