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

About the role

The Autonomous Pilot Integration team for Emerging Domains builds autonomy solutions for new platforms and mission profiles outside Shield AI's established portfolios—including space (satellites, missile defense), maritime (USV and UUV integration), and contested logistics (unmanned helicopters and related autonomous resupply platforms).

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, adapting technical plans, 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 closely 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.

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.

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

• 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.

Benefits

• Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Pay

• $195,200 - $292,800 a year

Schedule

• Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity