2 days ago
San Mateo, CA, USAStaff+
Base Salary
$281k - $421k/yr
Responsibilities
- Develop and integrate autonomy software onto unmanned air, maritime, space, ground, and effects/expendables platforms.
- Own technical direction, reference implementations, common patterns, and architecture strategy across multiple programs.
- Lead integration, configuration, validation, mission readiness, release coordination, and live field testing.
- Diagnose performance and compatibility issues across autonomy stacks, payload computers, embedded systems, sensors, and command-and-control interfaces.
- Capture mission data, reproduce issues in simulation, and drive fixes into subsequent builds.
- Shape C2 interoperability, interface evolution, and compliance with A-GRA, UCI, and OMS standards.
- Mentor senior engineers and team leads, influence engineering-wide rigor and processes, and define senior hiring standards.
- Represent the team to engineering leadership, customers, program offices, standards bodies, and external partners.
- Travel approximately 10–20% for office visits, customer sites, integration events, and flight, range, or on-water tests.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Typically requires 10 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree, 9 years with a master’s degree, or 7 years with a PhD, or equivalent work experience.
- Proficiency in C++ and experience developing or integrating real-time or latency-sensitive systems.
- Proficiency in Linux-based development, embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics.
- Familiarity with middleware, publish-subscribe, or IPC frameworks used in autonomy and robotics systems, such as DDS and message buses.
- Hands-on experience supporting demonstrations, exercises, or field and mission tests for unmanned or autonomous systems.
- Experience with autonomy simulation environments, vehicle or autopilot integration, hardware-in-the-loop debugging, and system testing.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multiple teams or cross-program technical initiatives from concept through fielded delivery.
- Experience setting technical strategy, shaping architecture and interface contracts, mentoring senior engineers, and solving ambiguous technical problems.
- Preferred qualifications include Python, container orchestration with k3s, k3d, or Docker, PX4 or ArduPilot, Conan or CMake, C2 standards, and simulation environments such as AFSIM or NGTS.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, customers, senior leaders, and DoD stakeholders.
Benefits
- Full-time regular employees receive pay within the listed range plus bonus, benefits, and equity.
- Temporary employees receive pay within the listed range plus a temporary benefits package applicable after 60 days.
- The role is full-time and typically requires 10–20% travel to offices, customer sites, and integration or test events.
- Offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.
About Shield AI
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, 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.