Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5395)

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

Job summary

Shield AI in California seeks an experienced Autonomous Systems Engineer to design and deliver mission-ready autonomy software for unmanned platforms. You will develop real-time control, integrate perception and autonomy capabilities, and own end-to-end delivery from software-in-the-loop to live test exercises.

The role requires 7+ years in C++/Linux, leadership experience, and the ability to coordinate with internal teams and external partners. Some travel is expected as part of program support.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or equivalent.
• Minimum 7 years of related experience; 5 years with MS/PhD or equivalent.
• Proficient in C++ for real-time/latency-sensitive systems.
• Experience with Linux, embedded systems, debugging.
• Experience leading a small technical team or owning a major capability.
• Experience authoring or negotiating interface contracts / ICDs.

Responsibilities

• Develop autonomy software for unmanned platforms (air, maritime, space, etc).
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship within the team.
• Collaborate with Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, and external partners.
• Lead design reviews, ICDs, and post-mortems to improve rigor.
• Coordinate hardware/software readiness and mission readiness for live tests.

Skills

C++ proficiency

Linux development

Autonomy/ robotics

Python scripting

Team leadership/mentoring

System diagnostics/debugging

Communication skills

SECRET clearance

Education

BS in CS / EE / AE or related field

MS preferred

Tools

DDS middleware

Job description

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, V-BAT and X-BATaircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, 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.

At this level, you'llalso serve as a technical leader within the team — leading a small feature crew or sub-program through design, integration, and delivery, mentoring mid-level engineers, andrepresentingthe team directly to capability teams and external partners.

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.

• Develop & Field Autonomy —Develop & amp; 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 — and lead a small team through the design, development, and delivery of a major capability or sub-program.

• Technical Leadership — Lead a small feature crew or sub-program; set technical direction, break down work, unblock the team, and report progress to leadership and stakeholders.

• Collaboration Across Teams — Act as a primary technical interface with the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team, feature crews, and external partners (platform integrators, vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers); author and negotiate ICDs and interface contracts rather than just consume them

• Mentorship & Growth — Mentor mid-level engineers on the team; partner with managers on onboarding, leveling, and growth planning. Formally onboard senior new hires.

• Design & Documentation — Drive design reviews, ICDs, and post-mortems for your area; push the team toward higher rigor and close process gaps that span teams.

• 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, andtiming profilingunder 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 — Own the interface contracts with C2 providers and drivestandards compliancefor your area, including implementation and validation against command-and-control standards (e.g., A-GRA, UCI, OMS).

• Hiring — Interview candidates, help define the skills bar for open roles in your area, and onboard new engineers into your sub-program.

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

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with aBachelor’sdegree; or 5 years and aMaster’sdegree; or 4 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, message buses).

• Hands-on experience supporting demos, exercises, or field/mission tests for unmanned or autonomous systems.

• Experience with autonomy simulation environments for testing and validation.

• Demonstrated experience leading a small technical team or owning a major capability from design through field delivery.

• Track recordof mentoring engineers and growing technical talent.

• Experience authoring or negotiating interface contracts / ICDs with internal or external stakeholders.

• 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.

• Direct experience supporting unmanned systems (air, maritime, space, ground, or effects/expendables) or similar field test campaigns.

• Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and analysis.

• Experience leading a feature crew, sub-program, or small team in an unmanned systems context.