Lead Autonomous Flight Software Engineer

Energy Jobline ZR; Washington; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is building autonomy software and unmanned platforms for defense applications. This role leads integration across platforms, guiding mission readiness and field deployments while mentoring engineers and shaping engineering practices.

You will collaborate with aircraft, autonomy, perception, and GCS teams to drive complex system integration and ensure readiness for customer demonstrations and real-world operations.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Expert C++ and Linux development experience.
• Experience leading complex autonomy or embedded software integration efforts.
• Experience influencing technical direction across multiple engineering teams.
• Experience supporting operational test events or customer deployments.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of complex autonomy capabilities from architecture through field deployment.
• Develop and field autonomy for V-BAT and X-BAT payloads, flight-control interfaces, and multi-agent behaviors.
• Partner with Aircraft team to define integration approaches, resolve interface issues, and ensure mission readiness.
• Collaborate across Aircraft, Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS, ACP, and feature crews to solve complex systems integration challenges.
• Influence architecture, interface design, and integration strategy across subsystems.
• Lead design reviews, contribute to ICDs, mentor engineers, and improve engineering rigor.
• Drive release readiness while supporting flight tests, customer demonstrations, and deployments.
• Improve integration workflows, testing infrastructure, and engineering productivity.
• Drive implementation of GCS and C2 interfaces using open-system standards.

Skills

C++

Linux

Autonomy software

Technical leadership

SECRET clearance

Education

BS/MS in engineering or equivalent

Tools

Docker

CI/CD

ARM embedded systems

Job description

Shield AI is building autonomy software and unmanned platforms for defense applications. This role leads integration across platforms, guiding mission readiness and field deployments while mentoring engineers and shaping engineering practices.

You will collaborate with aircraft, autonomy, perception, and GCS teams to drive complex system integration and ensure readiness for customer demonstrations and real-world operations.