Shield AI

Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration - Expeditionary (R5208)

Shield AI$120K — $145K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent advanced degree experience).
  • Strong proficiency in C++ for real-time or embedded systems.
  • Familiarity with Linux-based development environments and embedded systems.
  • Experience troubleshooting complex software and hardware integrations.
  • Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and integrate autonomy software for V-BAT and X-BAT, managing features from initial simulation to live tests.
  • Collaborate with the Aircraft team to ensure compatibility and readiness for platform integration of autonomy capabilities.
  • Partner with various teams and stakeholders to enhance mission capabilities and integration processes.
  • Provide technical leadership by mentoring teammates and guiding design and integration strategies.
  • Prepare mission-ready systems through thorough building, validation, and configuration processes.
  • Support on-site testing, demonstrations, and operator training, ensuring effective mission execution.
  • Diagnose and troubleshoot integration issues across software and hardware utilizing operational testing techniques.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including health and retirement options.
  • Opportunities for profit-sharing and equity in the company.
  • Flexible spending accounts for health-related expenses.
  • Paid time off including vacation and holidays.
  • Support for continuous learning and professional development.
Full Job Description
The Autonomous Pilot Integration team for expeditionary platforms builds autonomy solutions for V-BAT - an unmanned aircraft operating in expeditionary environments for ISR, target acquisition, communications, and multi-agent missions. The team also builds autonomy for X-BAT, a new platform under development by the aircraft team; for X-BAT, the team builds on top of the existing mission autonomy solution from the Strategic Systems (ACP) portfolio and works closely with the aircraft team on the flight-autonomy interface. We combine capabilities from the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team (e.g., ViDAR, ATR), and the HivemindSDK to develop the autonomy software that runs on these platforms, then integrate, validate, and field it on the real hardware - for U.S. and international defense customers. In this role, you'll develop new autonomy capabilities - including mission behaviors, platform-specific control (including VTOL transitions), multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy - and own major features from software-in-the-loop, to hardware-in-the-loop, to vehicle-in-the-loop, to live flight test. You'll partner closely with the Aircraft team, Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS, feature crews, and customer stakeholders to deliver mission-ready autonomy software and solve complex integration challenges. As a senior engineer, you'll provide technical leadership across major capabilities, mentor teammates, influence architecture and integration strategy, and help drive successful field deployments for both mature and emerging expeditionary platforms. This team has a strong fielded-operator culture - long-endurance ISR missions, customer-driven workflow iteration, and demanding live exercises across multiple U.S. and international services. It's a hands-on role for engineers who want to see their software operate on real aircraft and directly support operators in the field. What You'll Do: • Develop & Field Autonomy - Develop and integrate autonomy software for V-BAT and X-BAT, including mission behaviors, platform-specific control, payload and sensor integration (e.g., ViDAR, EO/IR), multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy. Own major features from software-in-the-loop through live flight testing. • Aircraft Team Partnership - Collaborate closely with the Aircraft team to integrate autonomy capabilities, validate platform interfaces, coordinate hardware/software compatibility, and support release readiness. • Collaboration Across Teams & Partners - Partner with the Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS, Strategic Systems (ACP), feature crews, and customer stakeholders to deliver integrated mission capabilities. • Technical Leadership - Own significant features or subsystems, drive technical execution, mentor teammates, and contribute to design reviews and integration planning. • Pre-deployment Preparation - Build, configure, validate, and prepare mission-ready systems while ensuring software, hardware, and operator workflows are ready for deployment. • On-site Test & Mission Support - Support flight tests, customer demonstrations, operator training, and deployment events through system bring-up, troubleshooting, and mission execution. • Hardware/SoftwareDebugging - Diagnose integration issues across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, and platform interfaces using simulation and operational testing. • Mission Data & Continuous Improvement - Analyze mission data, drive root-cause analysis, and build tools and processes that improve integration efficiency and mission reliability. • C2 Interoperability & Standards - Implement and validate interfaces with GCS and command-and-control systems while supporting compliance with STANAG 4586, UCI, and OMS. • 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 Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience. • 5+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent advanced degree experience). • Strong C++ development experience in real-time or embedded systems. • Experience with Linux-based development and embedded systems. • Experience integrating complex software systems and troubleshooting across hardware/software boundaries. • Experience supporting system integration, testing, or field events. • Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance. Preferred Qualifications: • Experience with unmanned aircraft or autonomous systems. • Experience with autonomy software, robotics, or vehicle control. • Experience with payload or sensor integration. • Python, Docker, CMake/Conan, or CI/CD experience. • Experience with military test events or defense customers. #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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