Lead Autonomy Systems Engineer - Fleet & Integration

Shield AI; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 195,200 - 292,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a senior engineer to lead the technical delivery of complex autonomy capabilities, spanning platform integration and fleet-scale deployment for launched effects. You will own key integration efforts, mentor engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams and customers to deliver end-to-end autonomy software.

Requires 7+ years, expert C++/Linux, ability to obtain SECRET clearance, and willingness to travel 10–20% annually.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in relevant engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Expert C++ and Linux development.
• Experience leading 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 technical execution of major autonomy capabilities; drive technical direction, coordinate cross-functional execution, mentor engineers, and help deliver complex integration efforts.
• Develop and integrate autonomy software solutions onto launched effects platforms, including autopilot integration, payload systems, executive autonomy, multi-agent coordination, and fleet-scale deployment to disconnected or air-gapped environments.
• Serve as a primary technical interface with the Autonomy Capabilities team, Perception team, feature crews, autopilot vendors, C2 providers, and customer/contractor partners; influence interface definitions and coordinate integration across organizations.
• Lead design reviews, contribute to architecture decisions and ICDs, improve engineering rigor, and establish repeatable integration practices across multiple efforts.
• Drive mission readiness for Capability Releases and fleet-scale deployments by coordinating validation, release planning, hardware/software compatibility, and operational readiness.
• Provide technical leadership during flight tests, customer demonstrations, range exercises, and operational deployments while troubleshooting complex issues under time-critical constraints.
• Lead root-cause analysis across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, networking, and platform interfaces using simulation, lab testing, and field data.
• Analyze mission data, reproduce issues, coordinate corrective actions across engineering teams, and drive continuous improvements into future releases.
• Build tools, automation, and engineering processes that improve deployment velocity, mission reliability, developer productivity, and integration efficiency.
• Drive implementation of command-and-control interfaces and support compliance with open-systems standards while coordinating closely with external integration partners.
• Travel: 10–20% of the year to different office locations, customer sites, and training events.

Skills

C++

Linux

Autonomy integration

Team leadership

Operational testing

Education

BS/MS in Engineering

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

Embedded autopilot

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a senior engineer to lead the technical delivery of complex autonomy capabilities, spanning platform integration and fleet-scale deployment for launched effects. You will own key integration efforts, mentor engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams and customers to deliver end-to-end autonomy software.

Requires 7+ years, expert C++/Linux, ability to obtain SECRET clearance, and willingness to travel 10–20% annually.