Senior Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration – Emerging Domains (R5398)

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer to join the Autonomous Pilot Integration team for Emerging Domains. The team builds autonomy solutions for new platforms and mission profiles outside Shield AI's established portfolios, including space, maritime, and contested logistics.

The successful candidate will define the technical direction for Emerging Domains, guiding autonomy strategy across multiple new platforms and mission areas while helping transform early-stage R&D efforts into scalable, long-term programs.

Key responsibilities:

• Stand up new programs by defining the technical strategy for establishing autonomy on entirely new platforms and mission areas
• Navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities while maintaining execution and long-term technical vision
• Define long-term technical direction across Emerging Domains, establishing architecture, integration strategies, and engineering patterns
• Develop and field autonomy capabilities across space, maritime, contested logistics, and future emerging platforms
• Build deep technical partnerships with platform organizations and influence interface evolution, integration strategy, and long-term platform architecture
• Collaborate across teams and partners to influence architecture and drive long-term improvements to engineering processes
• Provide senior technical leadership during critical demonstrations, operational exercises, and customer events
• Lead resolution of complex autonomy integration problems spanning software, hardware, embedded systems, and platform interfaces
• Drive organizational learning from operational testing and shape future technical investments based on mission outcomes

Requirements:

• BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience
• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Expert-level C++ and Linux systems development experience
• Demonstrated experience defining technical strategy across multiple programs or engineering organizations
• Proven track record solving highly complex systems integration challenges in ambiguous environments
• Experience mentoring senior engineers and influencing engineering direction without formal authority
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience leading first-of-kind autonomy or advanced R&D efforts
• Experience across multiple autonomy domains (air, maritime, space, ground, or robotics)
• Experience transitioning prototypes into operational systems
• Experience with government R&D programs and defense customers
• Experience shaping engineering practices across an organization
• Experience with UCI, OMS, STANAG 4586, or other defense interoperability standards