Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration - Emerg

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.

• 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.

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.

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , and YouTube .