Shield AI
Flight System Integration
SeniorSoftwareEngineer,AutonomousPilotIntegration
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Senior candidates.
“Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration at Shield AI. Skills: Autonomy software, Software integration, Hardware integration, System debugging. Develop autonomy code. Integrate autonomy software”
Industry & Context.
Problem-solving; Troubleshoot; Optimize system performance
10-20% travel, Ability to obtain SECRET clearance
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
BS/MS in Computer Science or similar, Equivalent practical experience, 5+ years related experience, Proficiency in C++, Experience developing real-time systems, Proficiency in Linux development, Experience with embedded systems, Experience with shell scripting, Experience with system diagnostics, Hands-on experience supporting tests, Experience with autonomy simulation environments, Problem-solving skills, Excellent communication skills, Excellent teamwork skills, Ability to obtain SECRET clearance
Nice to Have
Direct experience supporting uncrewed systems, Proficiency in Python, Familiarity with autonomy stacks, Familiarity with motion planning, Familiarity with vehicle-control integration, Competence in vehicle electronics bring-up, Payload computer integration experience, Hardware-in-the-loop debugging experience, Experience with container orchestration, Familiarity with platform control stacks, Proficiency in developing automation tools, Build-system experience, CI/CD pipeline familiarity, Experience with C2 standards, Familiarity with government simulation environments
What You'll Do.
Develop autonomy code
Integrate autonomy software
Own configuration process
Own validation process
Coordinate hardware/software compatibility
Coordinate mission readiness
Coordinate release cadence
Support live mission operations
Perform safety checks
Perform system bring-up
Troubleshoot under constraints
Diagnose integration issues
Resolve integration issues
Reproduce issues in simulation
Drive fixes into builds
Build tools for integration
Build processes for reliability
Build processes for efficiency
Implement C2 standards
Validate C2 standards compliance
Coordinate C2 provider interfaces
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Partner with Autonomy Capabilities; Partner with Perception team; Partner with feature crews; Partner with external partners; Work with capability teams; Work with feature teams; Collaborate with C2 providers
Communication Scope
Excellent communication
Process & Methodology
Release cadence
Full Job Description
## 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. 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 the HivemindSDK to 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'll partner closely with the Autonomy Capabilities and Perception teams, feature crews, and external platform integrators (vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers). It's a hands-on role for engineers who like seeing their code operate in the real world — whether that's flying, sailing, orbiting, or downrange — and want to be there when it does. Shield AI is committed to developing cutting-edge autonomy 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 effecti
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