Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration – Expeditionary (R5208)

About the role

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Develop & Field Autonomy – Develop and integrate autonomy software for V-BAT and X-BAT, including mission behaviors, platform-specific control, payload and sensor integration (e.g., ViDAR, EO/IR), multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy. Own major features from software-in-the-loop through live flight testing.
• Aircraft Team Partnership – Collaborate closely with the Aircraft team to integrate autonomy capabilities, validate platform interfaces, coordinate hardware/software compatibility, and support release readiness.
• Collaboration Across Teams & Partners – Partner with the Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS, Strategic Systems (ACP), feature crews, and customer stakeholders to deliver integrated mission capabilities.
• Technical Leadership – Own significant features or subsystems, drive technical execution, mentor teammates, and contribute to design reviews and integration planning.
• Pre-deployment Preparation – Build, configure, validate, and prepare mission-ready systems while ensuring software, hardware, and operator workflows are ready for deployment.
• On-site Test & Mission Support – Support flight tests, customer demonstrations, operator training, and deployment events through system bring-up, troubleshooting, and mission execution.
• Hardware/Software Debugging – Diagnose integration issues across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, and platform interfaces using simulation and operational testing.
• Mission Data & Continuous Improvement – Analyze mission data, drive root-cause analysis, and build tools and processes that improve integration efficiency and mission reliability.
• C2 Interoperability & Standards – Implement and validate interfaces with GCS and command-and-control systems while supporting compliance with STANAG 4586, UCI, and OMS.

Requirements

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent advanced degree experience).
• Strong C++ development experience in real-time or embedded systems.
• Experience with Linux-based development and embedded systems.
• Experience integrating complex software systems and troubleshooting across hardware/software boundaries.
• Experience supporting system integration, testing, or field events.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Qualifications

• Experience with unmanned aircraft or autonomous systems.
• Experience with autonomy software, robotics, or vehicle control.
• Experience with payload or sensor integration.
• Python, Docker, CMake/Conan, or CI/CD experience.
• Experience with military test events or defense customers.

Skills

• Real-time or embedded systems development.
• Linux-based development and embedded systems.
• Complex software system integration and troubleshooting.
• System integration, testing, or field event experience.
• Autonomy software, robotics, or vehicle control experience.
• Payload or sensor integration experience.
• Python, Docker, CMake/Conan, or CI/CD experience.
• Military test events or defense customer experience.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

$163,200 - $244,800 a year

Schedule

Not specified.