2 months ago
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
Shield AI builds autonomous systems for military and national security customers, combining its Hivemind autonomy software with V-BAT and X-BAT unmanned aircraft and Aechelon simulation technologies. The privately held company sells hardware, software, and related services to U.S. and allied defense agencies. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Diego, it operates across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, and its technology is used in operational deployments.