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Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration – Weapons (R5400)

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

About the role

Staff Software Engineer leading the technical delivery of complex autonomy capabilities spanning platform integration, fleet operations, and operational deployment for launched effects platforms in multi-agent, sometimes disconnected environments.

Responsibilities

  • Lead Technical Delivery – Lead the technical execution of major autonomy capabilities; drive technical direction, coordinate cross-functional execution, mentor engineers, and help deliver complex integration efforts.
  • Develop & Field Autonomy – Develop and integrate autonomy software solutions onto launched effects platforms, including autopilot integration, payload systems, executive autonomy, multi-agent coordination, and fleet-scale deployment to disconnected or air-gapped environments.
  • Collaboration Across Teams & Partners – Serve as a primary technical interface with the Autonomy Capabilities team, Perception team, feature crews, autopilot vendors, C2 providers, and customer/contractor partners; influence interface definitions and coordinate integration across organizations.
  • Design & Documentation – Lead design reviews, contribute to architecture decisions and ICDs, improve engineering rigor, and establish repeatable integration practices across multiple efforts.
  • Pre-deployment Preparation – Drive mission readiness for Capability Releases and fleet-scale deployments by coordinating validation, release planning, hardware/software compatibility, and operational readiness.
  • On-site Test & Mission Support – Provide technical leadership during flight tests, customer demonstrations, range exercises, and operational deployments while troubleshooting complex issues under time-critical constraints.
  • Hardware/Software Debugging – Lead root-cause analysis across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, networking, and platform interfaces using simulation, lab testing, and field data.
  • Mission Data & Debrief Support – Analyze mission data, reproduce issues, coordinate corrective actions across engineering teams, and drive continuous improvements into future releases.
  • Continuous Improvement – Build tools, automation, and engineering processes that improve deployment velocity, mission reliability, developer productivity, and integration efficiency.
  • C2 Interoperability & Standards – Drive implementation of command-and-control interfaces and support compliance with open-systems standards while coordinating closely with external integration partners.

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 embedded software integration efforts.
  • Experience influencing technical direction across multiple engineering teams.
  • Experience supporting operational test events or customer deployments.
  • Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Skills

Required:C++LinuxAutonomy integration

Benefits

  • Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
  • 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.
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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