Autonomy Pilot Integration Lead - Software Engineer

All Aviation Jobs; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 234,000 - 351,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is a defense-tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with autonomous systems. The Autonomous Pilot Integration team builds complex autonomy software for unmanned platforms across air, maritime, space, and other domains, delivering end-to-end capabilities from software-in-the-loop to live field tests.

As a technical leader, you will guide a small feature crew through design, integration, and delivery, mentor engineers, and collaborate with external platform

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Typically requires 7+ years with a Bachelor's, 5+ years with a Master's, or 4+ years with a PhD; or equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in C++, with real-time or latency-sensitive systems experience.
• Proficiency in Linux-based development and embedded systems.
• Familiarity with middleware, pub-sub, or IPC frameworks (e.g., DDS).
• Hands-on experience supporting demos, exercises, or field tests for unmanned systems.
• Experience leading a small technical team or owning a major capability from design through field delivery.
• Track record mentoring engineers and growing technical talent.
• Experience negotiating interface contracts/ICDs with stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills; able to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and field autonomy software onto unmanned platforms (air, maritime, space).
• Lead a small feature crew; set technical direction and unblock work.
• Collaborate with Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, and partner teams; negotiate interfaces.
• Mentor mid-level engineers and onboard new hires.
• Drive design reviews, ICDs, and post-mortems for your area.
• Own the build, configuration, and validation for mission-ready systems.
• Travel 10–20% for test sites and integration events.
• Diagnose and resolve complex integration issues across stacks.
• Capture and analyze mission data to drive fixes in next builds.
• Improve integration timelines and reliability across deployment cycles.
• Interface with C2 standards and governance bodies.

Skills

C++ proficiency

Linux development

Autonomy systems

Team leadership

Mentoring engineers

Interface contracts

Problem solving

Communication skills

SECRET clearance

Education

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

Tools

DDS middleware

Container orchestration (k3s/k3d)

Docker

CI/CD tooling

Job description

Shield AI is a defense-tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with autonomous systems. The Autonomous Pilot Integration team builds complex autonomy software for unmanned platforms across air, maritime, space, and other domains, delivering end-to-end capabilities from software-in-the-loop to live field tests.

As a technical leader, you will guide a small feature crew through design, integration, and delivery, mentor engineers, and collaborate with external platform