Autonomy Architect for Expeditionary UAVs & Integration

Shield; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI's Autonomous Pilot Integration team seeks a seasoned leader to own the technical direction for the Expeditionary portfolio, driving autonomy architecture across V-BAT and X-BAT while ensuring scalable, mission-ready solutions for current operators and future platforms.

You will define long‑term technical strategy, solve complex integration challenges, and influence mission behaviors, platform interfaces, payload integration, and multi‑agent operations in collaboration with Aircraft,

Qualifications

• BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Expert-level C++ and Linux systems development experience.
• Demonstrated experience defining technical strategy across multiple engineering teams or programs.
• Proven track record influencing architecture and solving highly complex systems integration challenges.
• Experience mentoring senior engineers and driving engineering excellence.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Technical Strategy & Portfolio Leadership – Define and drive the long‑term technical direction for Expeditionary autonomy across V‑BAT, X‑BAT, and future platforms.
• Develop & Field Autonomy – Guide development of mission autonomy, payload integration, flight‑autonomy interfaces, executive autonomy, and multi‑agent capabilities while ensuring successful operational deployment.
• Aircraft Team Partnership – Establish long‑term technical strategy with the Aircraft team for platform integration, interface evolution, and mission readiness.
• Cross‑Engineering Leadership – Influence architecture across the Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS, Strategic Systems (ACP), Aircraft, and customer organizations.
• Subject Matter Expertise – Serve as the organization’s technical expert for complex autonomy integration challenges spanning software, hardware, and operations.
• Design & Engineering Excellence – Lead architecture reviews, engineering standards, interface definitions, and organization‑wide technical improvements.
• Mentorship & Organizational Growth – Mentor senior engineers, develop technical leaders, contribute to leveling frameworks, and partner on senior hiring.
• Mission Readiness & Operational Excellence – Guide customer releases, deployment strategy, and mission validation while supporting critical operational events.
• Continuous Improvement – Drive long‑term improvements to engineering processes, integration workflows, testing infrastructure, and developer experience.
• C2 Interoperability & Open Systems – Define technical strategy for command‑and‑control interoperability and adoption of open‑systems standards.
• Hiring & Developing Technical Talent – Define the technical hiring bar for senior engineering roles, partner with engineering managers on long‑term staffing strategy, and help grow the organization’s technical capabilities.
• Travel Requirement – Members of this team typically travel around 10‑20% of the year to different office locations, customer sites, operator training events, flight tests, and integration exercises.

Skills

C++

Linux

Education

BS/MS in engineering

Job description

Shield AI's Autonomous Pilot Integration team seeks a seasoned leader to own the technical direction for the Expeditionary portfolio, driving autonomy architecture across V-BAT and X-BAT while ensuring scalable, mission-ready solutions for current operators and future platforms.

You will define long‑term technical strategy, solve complex integration challenges, and influence mission behaviors, platform interfaces, payload integration, and multi‑agent operations in collaboration with Aircraft,