Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration

Shield AI

Washington, US

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior engineers who develop autonomy software for defense applications and enjoy seeing their code operate in real-world scenarios.

Best fit for

Engineers who thrive on end-to-end ownership of autonomy code from simulation to live deployment.
— “own it end-to-end from software-in-the-loop, to hardware-in-the-loop, to vehicle-in-the-loop, to live test exercise”
Candidates with experience in multi-agent coordination and platform-specific control for unmanned systems.
— “write new autonomy code — such as mission behaviors, platform-specific control, multi-agent coordination”
Professionals who want to work closely with cross-functional teams in defense-tech.
— “partner closely with the Autonomy Capabilities and Perception teams, feature crews, and external platform integrators”

Things to consider

Role involves hands-on integration and validation of autonomy software on real hardware.
— “integrate, validate, and field it on the real hardware”
Position requires collaboration with international defense customers and vendors.
— “in service of the U.S. Department of Defense and our international defense customers”

How to stand out

Highlight specific examples of autonomy code you've developed that operated in real-world conditions.
— “engineers who like seeing their code operate in the real world”
Demonstrate experience with unmanned platforms across different operating domains.
— “autonomy for unmanned platforms across every operating domain — air, maritime, space, and effects/expendables”
Showcase your ability to bridge R&D and deployment in past projects.
— “engineers bridge the gap between R&D and deployment”

Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

Develop autonomy software
Integrate and validate autonomy solutions

Typical background

Experience in autonomy software development

Skills & requirements

Required

Autonomy SoftwareMotion PlanningTacticsPerceptionPlatform Integration

Preferred

HivemindsdkMulti-agent CoordinationContingenciesExecutive Autonomy

Stack & domain

Autonomy SoftwareMotion PlanningTacticsTrack FusionHivemindsdkMission BehaviorsPlatform-specific ControlMulti-agent CoordinationContingenciesExecutive AutonomySoftware-in-the-loopHardware-in-the-loopVehicle-in-the-loopLive Test ExerciseDefense TechAutonomous Systems

About the role

Original posting from Shield AI via Lever

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. 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 software-in-the-loop, to hardware-in-the-loop, to vehicle-in-the-loop, to live test exercise. You'll partner closely with the Autonomy Capabilities and Perception teams, feature crews, and external platform integrators (vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers). It's a hands-on role for engineers who like seeing their code operate in the real world — whether that's flying, sailing, orbiting, or downrange — and want to be there when it does.
Shield AI is committed to developing cutting-edge autonomy for unmanned platforms across every operating domain — air, maritime, space, and effects/expendables — in service of the U.S. Department of Defense and our international defense customers. Our Autonomous Pilot Integration engineers bridge the gap between R&D and deployment, ensuring autonomous systems function reliably and effectively wherever and whenever they're needed most.

Source: Shield AI careers (Lever)