Description
Shield AI is seeking a 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.
Job Summary
As a Staff Software Engineer, you will 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 will 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.
Key Responsibilities
- Stand up new programs, leading 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 and shifting priorities, operating effectively as programs evolve, adapting technical plans, balancing competing priorities, and maintaining engineering momentum through changing customer and program requirements.
- Develop and field autonomy, leading development and integration of autonomy software across emerging-domain platforms, including platform interfaces, payload integration, mission autonomy, and operational deployment.
- Provide technical leadership, leading feature crews or major integration efforts, mentoring engineers, removing technical obstacles, and driving delivery of complex capabilities.
- Collaborate with platform teams and partners, serving as a primary technical partner to platform engineering teams while coordinating interface evolution, hardware/software compatibility, and mission readiness.
Requirements
- 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.
What We Offer
- Salary: USD 195,200-292,800 per year
- Bonus
- Benefits
- Equity
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.