Staff Engineer, Perception (R5611)

Shieldai; Greater London; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI seeks an Autonomy Software Integration & Test Engineer to advance development, integration, testing, and deployment of autonomous systems in Ukraine. The role spans software, hardware, aircraft systems, and flight operations in dynamic field environments.

The ideal candidate will write and debug software, integrate autonomy onto unmanned platforms, troubleshoot in lab and field settings, and support live flight operations in a growing startup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in CS/Robotics/Aerospace/EE/Mechanical engineering.
• 3+ years of experience developing and integrating software for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related fields.
• Strong C++ and Python development, debugging, and system integration.
• Experience with Linux-based development environments and field testing.

Responsibilities

• Develop production-quality software features for autonomous systems.
• Design, implement, debug, and maintain software components for autonomy and flight operations.
• Integrate autonomy software onto fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned systems.
• Develop internal tools, telemetry pipelines, and test infrastructure using C++ and Python.
• Support software bring-up, system configuration, and mission readiness for flight operations.
• Debug and troubleshoot autonomy software, onboard compute, radios, sensors, and mission systems.
• Support simulation and live flight test activities and field demonstrations.

Skills

C++

Python

Linux

Autonomy software

Flight testing

System integration

Troubleshooting

Travel readiness

Ownership

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Tools

ROS

DDS

QGroundControl

PX4

ArduPilot

MAVLink

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-BATaircraft, 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.

Job Description:

Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. We are seeking an Autonomy Software Integration & Test Engineer to support development, integration, testing, and deployment of autonomous systems in Ukraine.

This role is ideal for a hands-on engineer who enjoys working across software, hardware, aircraft systems, and flight operations in fast-paced field environments. The position combines autonomy software development, system integration, and real-world flight testing across unmanned and autonomous platforms.

The ideal candidate is comfortable writing and debugging software, integrating autonomy systems onto fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned or autonomous systems, troubleshooting issues in both lab and field environments, and supporting live flight operations under evolving operational conditions. This role requires an engineer who can move fluidly between software development, aircraft integration, flight testing, demonstrations, and operational troubleshooting in a rapidly growing startup environment.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong ownership, a bias toward action, and the ability to solve complex problems across software, hardware, and flight operations in rapidly evolving environments.

This role will primarily support operations in the Lviv region, with occasional travel to other locations within Ukraine for demonstrations, testing, and operational support activities.

• Develop and contribute production-quality software features and capabilities for autonomous systems
• Design, implement, debug, and maintain software components supporting autonomy, mission execution, system integration, and flight operations
• Integrate autonomy software onto fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned or autonomous systems
• Develop internal tools, automation, telemetry analysis pipelines, and test infrastructure in C++ and Python
• Support software bring-up, system configuration, and mission readiness for flight operations
• Debug and troubleshoot issues across autonomy software, onboard compute, radios, networking, sensors, flight controllers, and mission systems
• Support simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, ground testing, and live flight test activities
• Support field demonstrations and operational test events, including pre-flight setup, system validation, troubleshooting, and post-flight analysis
• Operate and troubleshoot Ground Control Stations (GCS) and mission support systems
• Capture, analyze, and review flight and system data to support root cause analysis and system improvements
• Work closely with autonomy, systems, hardware, and flight test teams to rapidly integrate and validate new capabilities
• Support rapid software iteration and operational testing in dynamic startup and field environments
• Contribute to operational documentation, test procedures, integration workflows, and deployment readiness activities
• Travel to test sites and support field operations as required

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 3+ years of experience developing and integrating software for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related technical fields
• Strong software engineering experience in C++ and Python, including development, debugging, and system integration
• Experience contributing to complex software systems in robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related domains
• Experience working with Linux-based systems and development environments
• Hands-on experience integrating and troubleshooting hardware and software systems
• Experience supporting field testing, flight testing, demonstrations, or operational exercises
• Familiarity with MAVLink, PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, or related unmanned systems technologies
• Experience debugging distributed or cross-disciplinary systems involving software, networking, sensors, radios, onboard compute, and mission systems
• Strong sense of ownership and ability to operate independently in fast-paced environments
• Strong problem-solving mindset and willingness to work across disciplines
• Ability to travel within Ukraine as required

• Experience supporting autonomous aircraft or unmanned systems
• Experience with SIL, HIL, VIL, simulation, or flight test environments
• Familiarity with ROS, DDS, embedded systems, or real-time systems
• Experience with RF communications, datalinks, and networking systems
• Experience supporting live flight demonstrations or operational deployments
• Familiarity with flight controllers, avionics systems, and aircraft integration
• Experience building internal tools for testing, automation, telemetry analysis, or operational support
• Background in defense, robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems
• Ukrainian and English language proficiency
• Experience operating in fast-paced and dynamic field environments

Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.