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

- **Company:** Shield AI
- **Location:** San Diego, CA, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Temporary contract
- **Skills:** C++ (Programming Language), Software Debugging, Interoperability, Systems Integration, SC Clearance, Linux Development
- **Published:** October 22, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.thejobnetwork.com/job/3f211138-e227-462f-840b-670672e5faab/staff-software-engineer-autonomous-pilot-integration-emerging-domains-r

## About the Role

* 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.

## 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 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.