Shield AI

Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration - Emerging Domains (R5423)

Shield AI$163K — $244K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS/MS in relevant engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of relevant experience in autonomy or integration.
  • Strong proficiency in C++ and Linux-based development.
  • Experience with embedded or real-time software systems integration.
  • Systems-level problem-solving skills essential.
  • Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Establish autonomy on new platforms by integrating existing capabilities and developing new solutions.
  • Develop and integrate autonomy software for various emerging-domain platforms.
  • Collaborate with platform teams to validate autonomy capabilities and ensure mission readiness.
  • Work cross-functionally to deliver integrated autonomy solutions in partnership with multiple teams.
  • Contribute to engineering design, documentation, and rigorous review processes to improve quality.
  • Prepare systems for missions through validation and release readiness coordination.
  • Support testing and operational exercises and troubleshoot integration issues.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision.
  • Equity opportunities as part of compensation.
  • Bonus structure based on performance.
  • Temporary employees receive benefits after 60 days of employment.
Full Job Description
The Autonomous Pilot Integration team for Emerging Domains builds autonomy solutions for new platforms and mission profiles outside Shield AI's established portfolios-including space (satellites, missile defense), maritime (USV and UUV integration), and contested logistics (unmanned helicopters and related autonomous resupply platforms). The team takes on short-term R&D and integration efforts-often standing up the first autonomy on a brand-new platform or mission-with the intent that successful efforts grow into larger, multi-year programs. We combine capabilities from the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team (e.g., ViDAR, ATR), and the HivemindSDK-selectively leveraging existing Shield AI autonomy solutions where they apply-to develop autonomy that runs on these new platforms. Our engineers 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. In this role, you'll develop and integrate autonomy capabilities across a variety of emerging-domain platforms while helping establish autonomy on systems that often have no existing autonomy baseline. You'll work closely with platform teams, the Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, and GCS teams, feature crews, and customer stakeholders to solve complex integration challenges and deliver mission-ready autonomy software. This is a hands-on role for engineers who enjoy working across diverse platforms, solving ambiguous technical problems, and seeing new capabilities operate in real-world environments. What You'll Do: Stand Up New Capabilities - Help establish autonomy on new platforms and mission areas by integrating existing Shield AI capabilities with platform-specific software and developing new autonomy where needed. Develop & Field Autonomy - Develop and integrate autonomy software onto emerging-domain platforms, including platform and autopilot integration, payload and sensor integration, mission behaviors, multi-agent coordination, and validation through software-, hardware-, vehicle-, and live testing. Platform Team Partnerships - Partner closely with platform teams to integrate autonomy capabilities, validate interfaces, coordinate hardware/software compatibility, and support mission readiness. Collaboration Across Teams & Partners - Work with the Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS teams, feature crews, and customer/program offices to deliver integrated autonomy solutions. Design & Documentation - Contribute to design reviews, ICDs, integration planning, and post-mortems while improving engineering rigor across teams. Pre-deployment Preparation - Build, configure, validate, and prepare mission-ready systems while coordinating release readiness with platform and capability teams. On-site Test & Mission Support - Support flight tests, maritime trials, ground testing, customer demonstrations, and operational exercises through system bring-up, troubleshooting, and mission execution. Hardware/Software Debugging - Diagnose and resolve integration issues across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, and platform interfaces. Mission Data & Debrief Support - Capture mission data, reproduce issues in simulation, and partner with capability owners to rapidly improve future releases. Continuous Improvement - Develop tools and engineering processes that improve integration velocity, testing reliability, and mission readiness. C2 Interoperability & Standards - Implement and validate interfaces with command-and-control systems while supporting program-appropriate interoperability standards. 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 5+ years of relevant experience. • Strong proficiency in C++ and Linux-based development. • Experience integrating embedded or real-time software systems. • Experience supporting integration, testing, or operational field events. • Strong systems-level problem-solving skills. • Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance. Preferred Qualifications: • Experience with autonomous aircraft, maritime systems, spacecraft, or robotics. • Experience with autonomy software, autopilot integration, or robotics frameworks. • Python, Docker, or CI/CD experience. • Experience working in early-stage R&D or rapid prototyping environments. • Experience supporting DoD customers or field demonstrations. $163,200 - $244,800 a year #LI-ED1 #LC 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.

About Shield AI

Shield AI is a defense technology company that develops artificially intelligent systems for military applications. The company was founded in 2015 by Brandon Tseng, Ryan Tseng, and Andrew Reiter, and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Shield AI's products include autonomous drones and software that can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and other military operations. The company's mission is to reduce the number of military casualties by providing soldiers with better intelligence and situational awareness. Shield AI has received funding from a number of investors, including Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund.
Learn more about Shield AI
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2015

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