Shield AI

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

Shield AI$195K — $292K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience.
  • 7+ years of relevant experience in engineering or systems integration.
  • Expert proficiency in C++ and Linux development.
  • Experience leading complex autonomy or systems integration projects.
  • Proven ability to influence technical direction with engineering teams.
  • Capable of obtaining a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Lead technical efforts to integrate autonomy on new platforms.
  • Adapt technical plans and maintain momentum through program changes.
  • Oversee software development for autonomy across various platforms.
  • Mentor engineering teams and guide major integration efforts.
  • Collaborate with platform engineers on interface and mission readiness.
  • Coordinate with various teams to deliver integrated autonomy solutions.
  • Drive pre-deployment preparations and technical validations.

Benefits

  • Bonus potential based on performance.
  • Comprehensive health benefits package.
  • Equity in the company.
  • Opportunities for travel to diverse locations for tests and events.
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 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: 3BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience. Typically requires 7+ years of relevant experience.3 3Expert C++ and Linux development experience.3 3Experience leading complex autonomy or systems integration efforts.3 3Experience influencing technical direction across engineering teams.3 3Experience operating successfully in ambiguous or rapidly evolving technical environments.3 3Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.3 Preferred Qualifications: 3Experience standing up autonomy on new platforms.3 3Experience with autonomous aircraft, maritime, or space systems.3 3Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical initiatives.3 3Experience with military test events or customer deployments.3 3Experience with UCI, OMS, STANAG 4586, or comparable interoperability standards.3 $195,200 - $292,800 a year #LI-ED1 #LD 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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