Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration – Emerging Domains (R5401)

In this role, you'll lead the technical delivery of complex autonomy capabilities across Emerging Domains, helping establish first-of-their-kind autonomy solutions for new platforms and mission areas. You'll own challenging integration efforts, influence technical direction across multiple subsystems, and work closely with platform teams and cross-functional engineering organizations to transition early R&D efforts into scalable, operational capabilities.

What You'll Do:

Stand Up New Programs – Lead technical efforts to establish autonomy on new platforms, determining how best to leverage existing Shield AI capabilities while developing new platform-specific solutions.

Navigate Ambiguity & Shifting Priorities– Operate effectively as programs evolve, adapting technical plans, balancing competing priorities, and maintaining engineering momentum through changing customer and program requirements.

Develop & Field Autonomy – Lead development and integration of autonomy software across emerging-domain platforms, including platform interfaces, payload integration, mission autonomy, and operational deployment.

Technical Leadership – Lead feature crews or major integration efforts, mentor engineers, remove technical obstacles, and drive delivery of complex capabilities.

Platform Team Partnerships – Serve as a primary technical partner to platform engineering teams while coordinating interface evolution, hardware/software compatibility, and mission readiness.

Collaboration Across Teams & Partners – Coordinate closely with Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS, feature crews, customer/program offices, and external partners to deliver integrated autonomy solutions.

Design & Documentation – Lead design reviews, architecture discussions, ICD development, and engineering improvements across multiple efforts.

Pre-deployment Preparation – Drive validation, release readiness, hardware/software integration, and mission preparation for operational deployments.

On-site Test & Mission Support – Provide technical leadership during live testing, demonstrations, and operational events across air, maritime, space, and emerging platforms.

Hardware/Software Debugging – Lead root-cause analysis across complex autonomy stacks, embedded systems, and platform interfaces.

Mission Data & Debrief Support – Drive post-mission analysis and coordinate engineering improvements based on operational results.

Continuous Improvement – Improve engineering processes, testing infrastructure, integration workflows, and deployment efficiency.

C2 Interoperability & Standards – Drive implementation of command-and-control interfaces and interoperability standards appropriate for each platform.

Travel Requirement – Members of this team typically travel around 10–20% of the year to different office locations, customer sites, operator training events, flight tests, and integration exercises.

Required Qualifications:

BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience. Typically requires 7+ years of relevant experience.

Expert C++ and Linux development experience.

Experience leading complex autonomy or systems integration efforts.

Experience influencing technical direction across engineering teams.

Experience operating successfully in ambiguous or rapidly evolving technical environments.

Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience standing up autonomy on new platforms.

Experience with autonomous aircraft, maritime, or space systems.

Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical initiatives.

Experience with military test events or customer deployments.

Experience with UCI, OMS, STANAG 4586, or comparable interoperability standards.

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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. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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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.