Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5200)

Shieldai; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Performance bonus

Career development

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking an experienced engineer to develop and field autonomy software for unmanned platforms across air, maritime, space, and other domains.

You will own end‑to‑end integration, validation, and live test exercises, collaborating with multiple teams and external partners to ensure mission readiness and safe operation.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in CS/EE or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 4 years with a Master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiency in C++, with experience developing or integrating real‑time or latency‑sensitive systems.
• Proficiency in 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 and optimize system 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.
• Direct experience supporting uncrewed systems (air, maritime, space, ground, or effects/expendables) or similar field test campaigns.
• Proficiency in 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).
• Proficiency in 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 onboard compute, sensors, and command‑and‑control interfaces.
• Collaboration Across Teams — Work closely with the Autonomy Capabilities team, the Perception team, feature crews, and external partners (platform integrators, vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers) to deliver and validate mission‑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 and validate compliance with command‑and‑control standards (e.g., A‑GRA, UCI, OMS) and coordinate with C2 providers on interface contracts and integration milestones.

Skills

C++ development

Linux systems

Python scripting

Embedded systems

Autonomy robotics

Team collaboration

Communication

DoD clearance readiness

Education

BS/MS in CS/EE or related field

Tools

Docker

k3s / k3d

CMake / Conan

GCC

DDS / ActiveMQ

Job description

About the Role

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, the Perception team, and the Hivemind SDK to develop autonomy software that runs on unmanned platforms—air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables—then integrate, validate, and field it on real hardware. In this role you will write new autonomy code, such as mission behaviors, platform‑specific control, multi‑agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy, and own it end‑to‑end through software‑in‑the‑loop, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, vehicle‑in‑the‑loop, and live test exercises. You’ll partner closely with the Autonomy Capabilities, Perception teams, feature crews, and external platform integrators.

Responsibilities

• 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 onboard compute, sensors, and command‑and‑control interfaces.
• Collaboration Across Teams — Work closely with the Autonomy Capabilities team, the Perception team, feature crews, and external partners (platform integrators, vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers) to deliver and validate mission‑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 and validate compliance with command‑and‑control standards (e.g., A‑GRA, UCI, OMS) and coordinate with C2 providers on interface contracts and integration milestones.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar degree, or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 4 years with a Master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiency in C++, with experience developing or integrating real‑time or latency‑sensitive systems.
• Proficiency in 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 and optimize system 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.
• Direct experience supporting uncrewed systems (air, maritime, space, ground, or effects/expendables) or similar field test campaigns.
• Proficiency in 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).
• Proficiency in 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.

Travel

• Travel Requirement – Members of this team typically travel around 10–20% of the year to different office locations, customer sites, and integration/test events.

Benefits and Compensation

• 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.

EEO Statement

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal 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.