Startups · AI

Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5395)

Shield AI · San Mateo, California · On-site

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About Shield AI

Autonomy for the world. Backed by a16z.

About the role

Develop & Field Autonomy — Develop & integrate autonomy software solutions onto unmanned platforms (air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables), including payload computer bring-up, container-based deployment (e.g., k3s/k3d), and configuration across onboard compute, sensors, and command-and-control interfaces — and lead a small team through the design, development, and delivery of a major capability or sub-program.

What they're looking for

  • BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience
  • Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 5 years and a Master’s degree, or 4 years with a PhD, or equivalent work experience
  • Proficiency in C++, with experience developing or integrating real-time or latency-sensitive systems
  • Proficiency in Linux-based development and experience working with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics
  • Familiarity with middleware, pub-sub, or IPC frameworks used in autonomy or robotics systems (e.g., DDS, message buses)
  • Hands-on experience supporting demos, exercises, or field/mission tests for unmanned or autonomous systems
More about this role

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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , and YouTube .

The Autonomous Pilot Integration team builds autonomy solutions for a wide range of CONOPs and mission sets. We combine capabilities from the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team (e.g., track fusion), and the HivemindSDK to develop the autonomy software that runs on an unmanned platform — air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables, depending on the program — then integrate, validate, and field it on the real hardware. In this role, you'll write new autonomy code — such as mission behaviors, platform-specific control, multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy — and own it end-to-end from...

Read the full posting on Shield AI's site ↗

Flight System Integration

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