Senior Autonomy Engineer — Emerging-Domain Platforms

Shield AI; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 163,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI seeks an experienced Autonomous Systems Engineer in San Diego to develop and integrate autonomy capabilities across emerging-domain platforms. You will work with platform teams, perception, and GCS to solve complex integration challenges and deliver mission-ready autonomy software.

The role involves collaboration with multiple teams, designing and testing autonomy solutions, and contributing to pre-deployment and live demonstrations.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically requires 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and Linux-based development.
• Experience integrating embedded or real-time software systems.
• Experience supporting integration, testing, or operational field events.
• Strong systems-level problem-solving skills.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Stand Up New Capabilities – establish autonomy on new platforms by integrating Shield AI capabilities with platform-specific software and developing new autonomy where needed.
• Develop & Field Autonomy – develop and integrate autonomy software onto emerging-domain platforms, including platform and autopilot integration, payload and sensor integration, and multi-agent coordination.
• Platform Team Partnerships – collaborate with platform teams to validate interfaces and coordinate hardware/software compatibility for mission readiness.
• Collaboration Across Teams & Partners – work with Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS teams, and customer/program offices to deliver integrated autonomy solutions.
• Design & Documentation – contribute to design reviews, ICDs, integration planning, and post-mortems to improve engineering rigor.
• Pre-deployment Preparation – build, configure, validate, and prepare mission-ready systems with platform and capability teams.
• On-site Test & Mission Support – support flight tests, maritime trials, ground testing, and customer demonstrations through bring-up and troubleshooting.
• Hardware/Software Debugging – diagnose and resolve integration issues across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, and platform interfaces.
• Mission Data & Debrief Support – capture mission data, reproduce issues in simulation, and partner with capability owners for improvements.
• Continuous Improvement – develop tools and processes to improve integration velocity, testing reliability, and mission readiness.
• C2 Interoperability & Standards – implement interfaces with command-and-control systems and ensure interoperability standards.
• Travel Requirement – 10–20% of the year across locations.

Skills

C++

Linux

Embedded systems

Systems thinking

Clearance

Education

BS/MS in engineering or equivalent

Tools

Python

Docker

CI/CD

Job description

Shield AI seeks an experienced Autonomous Systems Engineer in San Diego to develop and integrate autonomy capabilities across emerging-domain platforms. You will work with platform teams, perception, and GCS to solve complex integration challenges and deliver mission-ready autonomy software.

The role involves collaboration with multiple teams, designing and testing autonomy solutions, and contributing to pre-deployment and live demonstrations.