Shield AI
Senior Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5402)
$281K–$421K
San Mateo, California · On-site · Senior Staff · Full-time · Posted Sep 1, 2026
- Experience
- Typically 10 years with a Bachelor’s degree; 9 years with a Master’s degree; 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
- Education
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience.
About the job
Develops, integrates, validates, and fields autonomy software for unmanned platforms, while setting technical direction across programs and supporting real-world tests.
What you'll do
- Develop and integrate autonomy software, establish shared technical patterns, and own deployment and validation through live testing.
- Lead cross-program architecture and C2 interoperability strategy; represent the team to internal leaders, customers, standards bodies, and partners.
- Mentor senior engineers and team leads, troubleshoot field and system issues, and improve engineering processes.
What they ask for
- BS/MS in a listed engineering or computer science field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Proficiency in C++ and Linux-based development, including embedded systems, shell scripting, and diagnostics.
- Experience supporting demos, exercises, or field/mission tests for unmanned or autonomous systems, and using autonomy simulation environments.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
Nice to have
- Python proficiency; experience with container orchestration such as k3s, k3d, or Docker on embedded or payload compute.
- Experience with unmanned systems, autonomy stacks, vehicle-control integration, or C2 standards such as A-GRA, UCI, or OMS.
Pay
USD 280,512–420,768 (per-year-salary); base salary
Tools
C++, Linux, DDS, k3s, k3d, Python, A-GRA, UCI
AI focus
Develops and integrates autonomy software for unmanned platforms, including mission behaviors, platform-specific control, coordination, and other autonomy capabilities.
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