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

Shield AI· Hivemind Solutions Division – Flight System Integration
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Hybrid (Washington, D.C.), Hybrid (San Diego, California), Hybrid (Boston, Massachusetts), Hybrid (Dallas, Texas)$195.2k - $292.8kFull Time EmployeePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Staff software engineering role focused on leading the technical delivery of autonomy capabilities for emerging-domain platforms (space, maritime, contested logistics, etc.), owning end-to-end integration from software-in-the-loop to live test and field deployment.

Responsibilities

  • 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, 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 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.

Qualifications

  • 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.

Skills

Required:C++LinuxSystems integration
Nice to have:Technical leadershipInteroperability standards (UCI, OMS, STANAG 4586)

Benefits

  • Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
  • Temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Last updated Oct 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Shield AI

Autonomy for the world.

Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

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