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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration - - **Company:** Shield AI - **Location:** Dallas, TX, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, C++ (Programming Language), Software Debugging, Linux, Interoperability, Software Systems, Systems Integration, SC Clearance, Operational Systems - **Published:** July 24, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9055029/senior-staff-software-engineer-autonomous-pilot-integration ## About the Role * BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience. Typically requires 10+ years of relevant experience. * Expert-level C++ and Linux systems development experience. * Demonstrated experience defining technical strategy across multiple programs or engineering organizations. * Proven track record solving highly complex systems integration challenges in ambiguous environments. * Experience mentoring senior engineers and influencing engineering direction without formal authority. * Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance. * Experience leading first-of-kind autonomy or advanced R&D efforts. * Experience across multiple autonomy domains (air, maritime, space, ground, or robotics). * Experience transitioning prototypes into operational systems. * Experience with government R&D programs and defense customers. * Experience shaping engineering practices across an organization. * Experience with UCI, OMS, STANAG 4586, or other defense interoperability standards. ## Description 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 define the technical direction for Emerging Domains, guiding autonomy strategy across multiple new platforms and mission areas while helping transform early-stage R&D efforts into scalable, long-term programs. You'll solve the organization's most complex technical challenges, influence engineering strategy across organizations, and partner with engineering leadership, platform teams, and customer stakeholders to shape the future of Shield AI's next generation of autonomy portfolios. Stand Up New Programs - Define the technical strategy for establishing autonomy on entirely new platforms and mission areas, determining what should be built, reused, or extended from existing Shield AI capabilities. Navigate Ambiguity & Shifting Priorities - Lead engineering through evolving customer needs, changing priorities, and uncertain technical landscapes while maintaining execution and long-term technical vision. Technical Strategy & Portfolio Leadership - Define long-term technical direction across Emerging Domains, establishing architecture, integration strategies, and engineering patterns that enable successful transition from R&D to operational programs. Develop & Field Autonomy - Guide development and deployment of autonomy capabilities across space, maritime, contested logistics, and future emerging platforms while ensuring successful operational delivery. Platform Team Partnerships - Build deep technical partnerships with platform organizations and influence interface evolution, integration strategy, and long-term platform architecture. Collaboration Across Teams & Partners - Influence architecture across Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS, platform teams, engineering leadership, customer organizations, and external partners. Design & Documentation - Lead architecture reviews, engineering standards, ICDs, and technical best practices across multiple organizations. Pre-deployment Preparation - Guide release strategy, mission validation, and operational readiness across multiple emerging programs. On-site Test & Mission Support - Provide senior technical leadership during critical demonstrations, operational exercises, and customer events where deep systems expertise is required. Hardware/Software Debugging - Lead resolution of the organization's most challenging autonomy integration problems spanning software, hardware, embedded systems, and platform interfaces. Mission Data & Debrief Support - Drive organizational learning from operational testing and shape future technical investments based on mission outcomes. Continuous Improvement - Drive long-term improvements to engineering processes, developer experience, testing infrastructure, and integration workflows across the Emerging Domains portfolio. C2 Interoperability & Standards - Define technical strategy for command-and-control interoperability and guide adoption of platform-appropriate open-systems standards across emerging programs. Grow R&D into Programs - Partner with engineering leadership and customers to evolve successful R&D efforts into scalable, long-term programs while helping shape technical strategy for future portfolios. Hiring & Developing Technical Talent - Help define the technical hiring bar for senior engineering roles, mentor future technical leaders, and partner with managers to grow organizational capability. 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. ## Related Videos - [From Bedside Beeps to Interoperable Bytes – Getting your medical devices ready to talk the IEEE 11073 language](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/771-from-bedside-beeps-to-interoperable-bytes-getting-your-medical-devices-ready-to-talk-the-ieee-11073-language) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [Automated Driving - Why is it so hard to introduce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/628-automated-driving-why-is-it-so-hard-to-introduce) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - GraalVM in action, Static Analysis insights and more](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1723-wearedevelopers-live-graalvm-in-action-static-analysis-insights-and-more) - [Docker exec without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1094-docker-exec-without-docker) - [The Software Engineer 2030: From Coder To AI Orchestrator? - Patrick Schnell](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1825-the-software-engineer-2030-from-coder-to-ai-orchestrator-patrick-schnell) ## Related Articles - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Transforming Software Development: The Role of AI and Developer Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/527-transforming-software-development-the-role-of-ai-and-developer-tools) - [Stephan Gillich - Bringing AI Everywhere](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/489-stephan-gillich-bringing-ai-everywhere)