Autonomy Engineering Manager: Robotics & Defense Systems

Shield AI

Northern, San Diego (KY, CA)

Hybrid

USD 236,000 - 354,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a senior engineering leader to own the autonomy team's technical delivery and people growth. You will mentor engineers, guide system architecture, and ensure rapid prototyping through live tests and field deployments in defense programs.

Successful candidates will have strong C++ production software experience, robotics expertise, and a track record of delivering complex autonomy capabilities for air, ground, or mixed platforms, with the ability to work across

Qualifications

BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or 5 years with a master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent practical experience.
Experience leading and developing engineers as a people manager, team lead, feature lead, or similar technical leadership role, including mentoring, providing feedback, and coordinating team delivery.
Track record of leading a technical team or major capability from initial design through integration, validation, and field delivery.
Significant experience with robotics or autonomous systems, including areas such as motion planning, tactical behaviors, decision-making, controls, or multi-agent coordination.
Strong proficiency in C++, with experience developing production-quality software for real-time, robotics, or autonomy systems.
Experience with unmanned systems, autonomy simulation environments, and software- or hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Strong systems-level problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. SECRET security clearance.

Responsibilities

Lead and Grow the Team - Manage a team of autonomy engineers, typically 5-10 people. Own performance, growth, leveling, engagement, and delivery while providing regular coaching, feedback, and technical mentorship.
Build the Team - Identify the skills needed within your area, partner closely with recruiting, conduct interviews, maintain a high hiring bar, and help close and onboard strong candidates.
Own Technical Delivery - Lead autonomy capabilities from initial design through integration, validation, and field deployment. Translate program objectives into clear technical priorities, execution plans, and ownership across the team.
Set Technical Direction - Define technical approaches and architectures for mission autonomy, balancing reuse of existing Shield AI capabilities with new development required for specific platforms and missions.
Develop Tactical Autonomy - Guide the development of motion planning, tactical behaviors, multi-agent coordination, track fusion, perception-aware decision-making, and weapons- or sensor-target assignment for platforms operating in complex and communications-constrained environments.
Remain Technically Engaged - Stay close to the code and contribute directly where it provides the most value, including prototyping capabilities, reviewing critical designs, investigating difficult problems, and supporting key delivery milestones.
Drive Engineering and Integration Rigor - Ensure the team develops high-performance, well-tested software with clear interfaces and the reliability required for operational deployment. Lead design reviews and strengthen development, testing, and integration practices.
Navigate Ambiguity and Changing Priorities - Make sound technical, staffing, and sequencing decisions when requirements are incomplete or program priorities shift. Communicate changes clearly and protect the team’s ability to execute.
Partner Across Teams and With Customers - Collaborate with Perception, Platform Integration, Simulation, Hardware, Flight Test, and Program teams, as well as U.S. and international defense customers, to shape requirements, resolve technical tradeoffs, and successfully integrate autonomy onto real-world platforms.
Lead Testing and Continuous Improvement - Own validation across software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and live test environments. Use mission data and test results to diagnose failures, improve capabilities, and inform the team’s technical roadmap.
Travel Requirement - Members of this team typically travel approximately 10-15% of the year to other Shield AI offices, customer sites, integration events, flight tests, and demonstrations.