Shield AI

Defense-tech

StaffSoftwareEngineer,AutonomousPilotIntegration

$188–281k Washington, District of Columbia, United States FULL TIME
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Senior candidates.

The Brief

“Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration at Shield AI. Skills: Autonomous pilot integration, Autonomy software, Embedded systems, Real-time systems. Develop autonomy software solutions. Integrate autonomy software solutions”

What You'll Achieve.

Ensure autonomous systems function reliably; Ensure autonomous systems function effectively

Industry & Context.

Defense tech
Problems you'll solve

Troubleshooting; Problem-solving; System performance optimization

Eligibility Requirements

10-20% travel, Ability to obtain clearance

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

BS/MS in CS, EE, ME, AE or equivalent, 7 years related experience (BS), 5 years related experience (MS), 4 years equivalent work experience, Proficiency in C++, Proficiency in Linux development, Experience with embedded systems, Experience with shell scripting, Experience with system diagnostics, Ability to obtain SECRET clearance

Nice to Have

Direct experience supporting unmanned systems, Python for scripting, automation, analysis, Experience leading feature crew/sub-program, Experience owning customer-facing relationships, Cross-team improvements track record, Familiarity with autonomy stacks, Competence in vehicle electronics bring-up, Experience with container orchestration, Familiarity with platform control stacks, Proficiency developing automation tools, Build-system experience, CI/CD pipeline familiarity, Interfacing with DoD stakeholders, Experience with C2 standards, Familiarity with simulation environments

What You'll Do.

Develop autonomy software solutions

Integrate autonomy software solutions

Field autonomy software solutions

Bring-up payload computer

Deploy container-based solutions

Configure onboard compute

Configure C2 interfaces

Lead team through design

Lead team through development

Lead team through delivery

Set technical direction

Report progress to leadership

Act as technical interface

Author interface contracts

Negotiate interface contracts

Mentor mid-level engineers

Partner with managers

Onboard senior new hires

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

Profile memory under load

Profile CPU under load

Profile timing under load

Reproduce issues in simulation

Drive fixes into builds

Build tools for integration

Build processes for integration

Improve integration timelines

Improve test reliability

Improve mission reliability

Improve team efficiency

Own interface contracts with C2

Drive standards compliance

Implement standards compliance

Validate standards compliance

Onboard new engineers

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Autonomy Capabilities team; Perception team; Feature crews; External partners; Platform integrators; Vehicle/autopilot vendors; C2 providers

Communication Scope

Technical interface; Report progress; Negotiate contracts

Process & Methodology

Agile, Scrum

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.  At this level, you'll also 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, and representing the team directly to capability teams and external partners.  Shield AI is committed to developing cutting-edge autonomy for unmanned platforms across every operating domain — air, ma

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