Senior Autonomy Software Engineer — Multi-Agent Missions

Shield AI; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Stock options

Flexible work hours

Onsite gym

401K matching

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a senior software engineer to lead autonomy capabilities for multi-agent mission systems. You will design and implement high-performance C++ modules for planning, coordination, and flight controls, interfacing with perception and test teams.

You will bridge research and field deployment, contribute to an evolving autonomy roadmap, mentor junior engineers, and participate in flight demonstrations and real-world integration efforts under security guidelines.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience in software sub-system scheduling and integration, behavior planning, and motion planning.
• Proficient in production-level C++ software development.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Tactical Autonomy Design – design autonomy algorithms to enable unmanned aircraft to perform complex missions with minimal human supervision.
• High-Performance Software Development – develop modules for planning, decision-making, and behavior execution in dynamic environments.
• Behavior Architecture Implementation – implement and test multi-agent coordination, target engagement, and survivability in contested scenarios.
• Hybrid Autonomy Integration – blend rule-based systems with learning-based methods for robust, adaptive behavior.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – collaborate with perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and flight test teams.
• Deployment & Field Testing – deploy autonomy capabilities to real platforms and participate in field tests and flight demos.
• Mission Data Analysis – analyze mission logs to diagnose failures and optimize models.

Skills

C++

Robot software

Multi-agent systems

Motion planning

Optimization

ROS

System integration

Leadership

Education

BS/MS/PhD in CS/AE/Robotics

Tools

ROS

OMPL

Git

AFSIM

NGTS

Job description

Shield AI seeks a senior software engineer to lead autonomy capabilities for multi-agent mission systems. You will design and implement high-performance C++ modules for planning, coordination, and flight controls, interfacing with perception and test teams.

You will bridge research and field deployment, contribute to an evolving autonomy roadmap, mentor junior engineers, and participate in flight demonstrations and real-world integration efforts under security guidelines.