Staff Engineer, Maritime Autonomy & Multi-Agent Systems

Shield; San Diego (CA, TX); On-site; USD 221,000 - 331,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Staff Engineer to lead autonomy capabilities for maritime platforms, including USVs and UUVs, with multi-agent coordination and advanced motion planning. You will blend theory with practical implementation, shaping requirements and driving tech execution across programs.

The role emphasizes delivering scalable autonomy solutions, collaborating across perception, planning, and hardware teams, and traveling to where programs run. A SECRET clearance is required or obtainable."

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• 7+ years with a Bachelor's; 6 years with a Master’s; 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python, and familiarity with RTOS.
• Robotics background in motion planning, behavior, decision-making, or autonomous system design.
• Experience with unmanned systems and related algorithms (space domain preferred).
• Experience with simulation tools (AFSIM, NGTS) for testing and validation.
• Strong problem-solving and teamwork, able to obtain SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead motion planning for USVs/UUVs and cooperative UAVs within safety constraints.
• Develop localization and tracking using sensor fusion for multi-agent networks.
• Ensure safe maritime operations with COLREGS adherence and runtime assurance.
• Advance heterogeneous multi-agent collaboration through distributed optimization and task allocation.
• Develop high-performance software modules with clear interfaces for TRL insertions.
• Collaborate with perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and test teams for seamless integration.
• Deploy capabilities to real platforms and support demonstrations and mission logs analysis.
• Contribute to autonomy roadmaps by prototyping new algorithms and addressing capability gaps.
• Travel approximately 25% per year to office locations, customer sites, and integration events.

Skills

C++

Python

RTOS

Robotics

Unmanned systems

Simulation tools

Security clearance

Education

BS in CS/EE/ME/Aerospace

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

AFSIM

NGTS

Job description

Shield AI seeks a Staff Engineer to lead autonomy capabilities for maritime platforms, including USVs and UUVs, with multi-agent coordination and advanced motion planning. You will blend theory with practical implementation, shaping requirements and driving tech execution across programs.

The role emphasizes delivering scalable autonomy solutions, collaborating across perception, planning, and hardware teams, and traveling to where programs run. A SECRET clearance is required or obtainable."