Shield AI
Manager of Engineering - Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5153)
Washington, D.C. · Manager · Full-time · Posted Sep 17, 2026
- Experience
- Typically 7 years with a Bachelor's degree; 5 years with a Master's; 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience. Also requires 2+ years of direct people-management experience.
- Education
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience.
About the job
Leads an engineering team developing, integrating, validating, and fielding autonomy software for launched-effects platforms and multi-agent fleets.
What you'll do
- Manage and grow an autonomy engineering team, including hiring, mentoring, performance management, and delivery.
- Lead design and integration of autonomy software on launched-effects platforms, including autopilot integration and fleet-scale deployment.
- Coordinate technical interfaces and field activities with internal teams, vendors, and customers; support testing, deployment, and troubleshooting.
What they ask for
- Degree in a listed engineering or computer science field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Typically 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, 5 years with a Master's, 4 years with a PhD, or equivalent work experience; 2+ years of direct people management.
- Experience with launched effects or comparable small unmanned platforms, multi-agent or fleet-scale autonomy, and leading a team or capability through field delivery.
- Strong C++ proficiency; Linux and embedded-systems experience; ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
Nice to have
- Direct PX4 or ArduPilot integration experience; Python proficiency.
- Experience with air-gapped fleet deployments, tactical edge C2, or standards such as UCI, OMS, MOSA, or WOSA.
Tools
C++, Linux, PX4, ArduPilot, DDS, QGroundControl (QGC), Python, UCI
AI focus
Develops and integrates autonomy software for launched-effects platforms, including mission behaviors, multi-agent coordination, and fleet-scale deployment.
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