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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer, Autonomy Behaviors - **Company:** Shield AI - **Location:** Washington, DC, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Software Code Optimization, Code Review, Data Integration, Programming Tools, Issue Tracking Systems, Kinematics, Motion Planning, Release Management, Software Engineering, Software Requirements Analysis, Subsystems, Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, Multi-Agent Systems, Build Management, Information Technology, Codebase, Operational Systems, DO-178B, Software Version Control - **Published:** September 26, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.juju.com/job/16_ef5e1cbd ## About the Role * BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field * Proficient in production-level C++ software development * 5+ years' experience in one or more of the following: software sub-system scheduling and integration, behavior planning, task and resource allocation, motion planning, optimization, or flight controls * Experience with collaborative software development tools for version control, issue tracking, code reviews, release management * Ability to contribute to the design, development, and integration of complex software systems as part of a multi-disciplinary team * Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to learn new technologies in a fast-paced environment * Willingness to collaborate closely with teammates and support team objectives * Interest in growing technical skills and, over time, providing guidance to more junior engineers * Desire to work in a highly collaborative, fast paced, and mission-driven environment * Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance, * Experience working with systems at one or more technology readiness levels (TRLs), including supporting the maturation of research concepts toward operational use * Experience with mission systems integration, including participation in integration events, testing, or demonstrations * Experience in one or more of the following areas: * Collaborative mission planning, behavior planning, or coordinated teaming * Motion planning across different vehicle types or constraints * Sensor/target pairing, control strategies, or related autonomy functions * Safety systems such as collision avoidance or geofencing * Experience with robotic software ecosystems (e.g., ROS, OMPL, optimization tools) * Experience with simulation tools for testing and validation * Familiarity with navigation and communications systems * Experience contributing to portions of the product development lifecycle * Familiarity with systems engineering principles * Familiarity with high-assurance software practices (e.g., DO-178C or similar standards) ## Description The Autonomy Capabilities Team develops functionality to automate single- and multi-agent teams of platforms in pursuit of mission objectives and acts as a central discipline-aligned focal-point for encouraging consistent usage of technical approaches across business portfolios. This team operates at all levels of the command-and-control hierarchy (from advanced control laws, through motion planning, and up to advanced tactical behaviors and multi-agent coordination) and across a multitude of mission sets, platform types, and operational domains (e.g., air, sea, space). The team puts a strong emphasis on both fundamentals (e.g., aircraft kinematics/dynamics, trajectory design, optimization, information fusion, efficient algorithms, etc.) and software integration skillsets (e.g. structures, protocols, threading, interface management, etc.) to bring market-differentiating capabilities to customers that seamlessly operate within their integration contexts. This position is perfect for an individual who enjoys solving complex problems across a diverse set of programs and integration contexts. An ideal candidate is expected to address operational system needs through a multitude of advanced methodologies that blend traditional control system approaches with advanced optimization. Developed solutions are expected to be integrated into real-world platforms with near-term program impacts and rewards and so balancing theory with practice and rigorous implementation is paramount. What You'll Do: * Develop tactical autonomy software to enable unmanned platforms to perform complex missions across air, land, sea, and space domains with limited human supervision * Implement and test behaviors supporting multi-agent coordination, target engagement, reconnaissance, and survivability in contested scenarios * Contribute across the software development lifecycle, including requirements, design, implementation, verification, and validation, following established engineering best practices * Collaborate with senior engineers to design and build scalable, maintainable software components that integrate with broader system architecture (e.g., sensor processing, state estimation, communications, and actuation) * Support reuse and extensibility of autonomy behaviors by contributing to shared frameworks and codebases * Work with internal product and program teams to deliver capabilities to vehicle platforms, helping ensure successful integration and iteration over time * Collaborate with cross-functional and external teams to align on interfaces and system requirements * Apply strong software engineering fundamentals to solve complex technical problems, while continuing to grow domain expertise in autonomy and robotics systems * Travel up to 20% to support integration, testing, and collaboration with end-users and partner teams ## Related Videos - [Robots are coming into the wild! Full-Stack Robotics Engineers, be ready!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/479-robots-are-coming-into-the-wild-full-stack-robotics-engineers-be-ready) - [How I built my own intelligent Robot Arm from Scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100097-how-i-built-my-own-intelligent-robot-arm-from-scratch) - [Getting to Know Your Legacy (System) with AI-Driven Software Archeology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1437-getting-to-know-your-legacy-system-with-ai-driven-software-archeology) - [Automated Driving - Why is it so hard to introduce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/628-automated-driving-why-is-it-so-hard-to-introduce) - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [Why your codebase lies to AI?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100281-why-your-codebase-lies-to-ai) ## Related Articles - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [ I Gave a Video Editor More Autonomy Than a Trading Bot. 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