Autonomy Pilot Integration Engineer

f7d8749a-72d6-407c-bf98-292ea630c73a; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking an Autonomous Pilot Integration engineer to develop and field autonomy software for unmanned platforms, spanning air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables. You will work with multiple teams and external partners to deliver mission-critical capabilities from development to live testing.

You will own build, configuration, validation, and readiness for deployment, coordinating hardware/software compatibility and release cadences.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent (or equivalent practical experience).
• Typically requires 4+ years with a Bachelor's or 2 years with a PhD; or 5+ years overall.
• Proficiency in C++, with experience in real-time or latency-sensitive systems.
• Proficiency in Linux-based development and embedded systems.
• Familiarity with middleware/IPC frameworks used in autonomy/robotics (e.g., DDS, ActiveMQ).
• Hands-on experience supporting demos, exercises, or field tests for unmanned/autonomous systems.
• Experience with autonomy simulation environments for testing and validation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to optimize system performance across the stack.
• Excellent communication and teamwork in multidisciplinary environments.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop & field autonomy software onto unmanned platforms (air, maritime, space or effects/expendables).
• Collaborate across Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, feature crews, and external partners to deliver mission-critical functionality.
• Own build, configuration, and validation for mission-ready systems; coordinate hardware/software compatibility and release cadence.
• Provide on-site test support including safety checks, system bring-up, and troubleshooting under time-critical constraints.
• Debug hardware/software across autonomy stacks including payload computers and embedded systems.
• Capture mission data, reproduce issues in simulation, and drive fixes into the next build.
• Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines and test/mission reliability.
• Implement and validate compliance with C2 standards and coordinate with providers on interfaces.
• Travel 10–20% of the year to join office locations, customer sites and integration events.

Skills

C++ proficiency

Linux development

Embedded systems

Middleware/IPC (DDS, ActiveMQ)

Autonomy/robotics testing

Problem solving

Communication & teamwork

SECRET clearance

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent

Tools

Docker

K3s/K3d

CMake/Conan

PX4/ArduPilot

ROS/ROS2

Job description

Shield AI is seeking an Autonomous Pilot Integration engineer to develop and field autonomy software for unmanned platforms, spanning air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables. You will work with multiple teams and external partners to deliver mission-critical capabilities from development to live testing.

You will own build, configuration, validation, and readiness for deployment, coordinating hardware/software compatibility and release cadences.