Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5200)

f7d8749a-72d6-407c-bf98-292ea630c73a; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking an Autonomous Pilot Integration engineer to develop and field autonomy software for unmanned platforms, spanning air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables. You will work with multiple teams and external partners to deliver mission-critical capabilities from development to live testing.

You will own build, configuration, validation, and readiness for deployment, coordinating hardware/software compatibility and release cadences.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent (or equivalent practical experience).
• Typically requires 4+ years with a Bachelor's or 2 years with a PhD; or 5+ years overall.
• Proficiency in C++, with experience in real-time or latency-sensitive systems.
• Proficiency in Linux-based development and embedded systems.
• Familiarity with middleware/IPC frameworks used in autonomy/robotics (e.g., DDS, ActiveMQ).
• Hands-on experience supporting demos, exercises, or field tests for unmanned/autonomous systems.
• Experience with autonomy simulation environments for testing and validation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to optimize system performance across the stack.
• Excellent communication and teamwork in multidisciplinary environments.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop & field autonomy software onto unmanned platforms (air, maritime, space or effects/expendables).
• Collaborate across Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, feature crews, and external partners to deliver mission-critical functionality.
• Own build, configuration, and validation for mission-ready systems; coordinate hardware/software compatibility and release cadence.
• Provide on-site test support including safety checks, system bring-up, and troubleshooting under time-critical constraints.
• Debug hardware/software across autonomy stacks including payload computers and embedded systems.
• Capture mission data, reproduce issues in simulation, and drive fixes into the next build.
• Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines and test/mission reliability.
• Implement and validate compliance with C2 standards and coordinate with providers on interfaces.
• Travel 10–20% of the year to join office locations, customer sites and integration events.

Skills

C++ proficiency

Linux development

Embedded systems

Middleware/IPC (DDS, ActiveMQ)

Autonomy/robotics testing

Problem solving

Communication & teamwork

SECRET clearance

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent

Tools

Docker

K3s/K3d

CMake/Conan

PX4/ArduPilot

ROS/ROS2

Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. Visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube

The Autonomous Pilot Integration team builds autonomy solutions for a wide range of CONOPs and mission sets. We combine capabilities from the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team (e.g., track fusion), and theHivemindSDKto develop the autonomy software that runs on an unmanned platform — air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables, depending on the program — then integrate, validate, and field it on the real hardware. In this role, you’ll write new autonomy code — such as mission behaviors, platform-specific control, multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy — and own it end-to-end from software-in-the-loop, to hardware-in-the-loop, to vehicle-in-the-loop, to live test exercise.You’llpartner closely with the Autonomy Capabilities and Perception teams, feature crews, and external platform integrators (vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers).It’sa hands-on role for engineers who like seeing their codeoperatein the real world — whetherthat’sflying, sailing, orbiting, or downrange — and want to be there when it does

Shield AI is committed to developingcutting-edgeautonomy for unmanned platforms across every operating domain — air, maritime, space, and effects/expendables — in service of the U.S. Department of Defense and our international defense customers. Our Autonomous Pilot Integration engineers bridge the gap between R&D and deployment, ensuring autonomous systems function reliably and effectively wherever and wheneverthey’reneeded most

What You’ll Do:

• Develop & Field Autonomy — Develop & integrate autonomy software solutions onto unmanned platforms (air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables), including payload computer bring-up, container-based deployment (e.g., k3s/k3d), and configuration across onboardcompute, sensors, and command-and-control interfaces.
• Collaboration Across Teams — Work closely with the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team, feature crews, and external partners (platform integrators, vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers) to deliver andvalidatemission-critical functionality on time.
• Pre-deployment Preparation — Own the build, configuration, and validation process for mission-ready systems; coordinate hardware/software compatibility, mission readiness, and release cadence with capability and feature teams.
• On-site Test & Mission Support — Travel to test sites and support live mission operations (flight tests, range exercises, on-water trials, integration events), including safety checks, system bring-up, and troubleshooting under time-critical constraints.
• Hardware/Software Debugging — Diagnose and resolve integration issues across complex autonomy stacks, payload computers, and embedded systems in lab and field environments — including memory, CPU, and timing profiling under operationally-representative loads.
• Mission Data & Debrief Support — Capture mission and test data, reproduce issues in simulation, and partner with autonomy capability owners to drive fixes back into the next build.
• Continuous Improvement — Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines, test/mission reliability, and team efficiency across deployment cycles.
• C2 Interoperability & Standards — Implement andvalidatecompliance with command-and-control standards (e.g., A-GRA, UCI, OMS) and coordinate with C2 providers on interface contracts and integration milestones.
• Travel Requiremen t– Members of this team typically travel around 10-20% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and integration/test events).

Required Qualifications:

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience
• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with aBachelor’sdegree; or 4 years and aMaster’sdegree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiencyin C++, with experience developing or integrating real-time or latency-sensitive systems.
• Proficiencyin Linux-based development and experience working with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics.
• Familiarity with middleware, pub-sub, or IPC frameworks used in autonomy or robotics systems (e.g., DDS, ActiveMQ).
• Hands-on experience supporting demos, exercises, or field/mission tests for unmanned or autonomous systems.
• Experience with autonomy simulation environments for testing and validation.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot andoptimizesystem performance across the full stack.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience supporting uncrewed systems (air, maritime, space, ground, or effects/expendables) or similar field test campaigns.
• Proficiencyin Python for scripting, automation, and analysis.
• Familiarity with autonomy stacks, motion planning, or vehicle-control integration.
• Competence in vehicle electronics bring-up (avionics, spacecraft buses, or vessel control), payload computer integration, or hardware-in-the-loop debugging.
• Experience with container orchestration (e.g., k3s, k3d, Docker) on embedded or payload compute.
• Familiarity with platform control / autopilot stacks (e.g., PX4,ArduPilot, spacecraft flight software, vessel autopilots).
• Proficiencyin developing automation tools for system testing, logging, and data parsing.
• Build-system experience (e.g., Conan,CMake) and CI/CD pipeline familiarity.
• Comfortable interfacing with DoD stakeholders during field events or technical reviews.
• Experience with C2 standards such as A-GRA, UCI, or OMS.
• Familiarity with government-furnished simulation environments (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) is a plus.

$160,000 - $240,000 a year

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.