Shield AI
Staff Engineer, Software - Autonomous Aircraft Integration (R4983)
$183K–$274K
Washington, D.C. +2 · On-site · Staff · Full-time · Posted Aug 15, 2025
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
Boston, Massachusetts
San Diego, California - Experience
- Typically 7 years with a Bachelor’s degree, 5 years with a Master’s degree, 4 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
Integrates and deploys autonomy software on unmanned aircraft, prepares systems for flight, and supports testing, troubleshooting, and validation in lab and field environments.
What you'll do
- Integrate autonomy software with aircraft compute, sensors, and control interfaces; configure and validate flight-ready systems.
- Support live flight tests, including safety checks, system bring-up, troubleshooting, and flight data collection and analysis.
- Collaborate across engineering and test teams, improve integration processes, and assist with certification and compliance documentation.
What they ask for
- Degree in a listed or similar engineering/computer science field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python; familiarity with RTOS.
- Proficiency in Linux-based development and experience with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
Nice to have
- Direct experience supporting unmanned aerial systems or flight test campaigns.
- Familiarity with autonomy stacks, flight control systems, or GNC pipelines.
Pay
USD 182,720–274,080 per-year-salary; base salary
Tools
C++, Python, RTOS, Linux, ROS, DDS, AFSIM, NGTS
AI focus
Deploys and validates autonomy software for unmanned aircraft and analyzes flight data to refine autonomous behaviors.
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative