Shield AI
Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration – Expeditionary (R5208)
Washington, D.C. · Senior · Full-time · Posted Sep 17, 2026
- Experience
- 5+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent advanced degree experience.
- Education
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
About the job
Develops, integrates, tests, and fields autonomy software for V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, supporting mission capabilities and deployments.
What you'll do
- Develop and integrate autonomy capabilities, including mission behaviors, platform control, sensor integration, and multi-agent coordination; own features through live flight testing.
- Collaborate across aircraft, autonomy, perception, and customer teams to validate interfaces, troubleshoot integration issues, and prepare systems for deployment.
- Provide technical leadership, mentor teammates, analyze mission data, and support flight tests, demonstrations, training, and deployment events.
What they ask for
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- Strong C++ development experience in real-time or embedded systems.
- Experience with Linux-based development and embedded systems, complex software integration and hardware/software troubleshooting, and system integration, testing, or field events.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
Nice to have
- Experience with unmanned aircraft, autonomous systems, autonomy software, robotics, vehicle control, or payload/sensor integration.
- Python, Docker, CMake/Conan, or CI/CD experience; military test events or defense customer experience.
Tools
C++, Linux, Python, Docker, CMake/Conan, CI/CD, HivemindSDK, STANAG 4586
AI focus
Develops aircraft autonomy software, including mission behaviors, control, multi-agent coordination, and executive autonomy.
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