Manager of Engineering Autonomy Capabilities
Shield AI is a U.S. defense-technology company developing AI-powered autonomy software and autonomous aircraft for military and allied operations.
Funding history
Investors
About Shield AI
Shield AI builds Hivemind, an end-to-end AI-pilot and mission-autonomy software platform for resilient operations in GPS- and communications-denied environments, alongside aircraft and simulation products including V-BAT, X-BAT, and Aechelon.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will lead autonomy engineers and deliver mission-autonomy capabilities from design through field validation. You will define architectures, guide development of planning and multi-agent capabilities, contribute to critical technical work, improve testing rigor, and work with partners to integrate solutions on real-world platforms.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a technical field and 7+ years of relevant experience, 5+ years with a master's degree, or 4+ years with a PhD
- Experience leading and developing engineers in a technical leadership role
- Experience leading a technical team or major capability from design through field delivery
- Experience with robotics or autonomous systems
- C++ proficiency for real-time, robotics, or autonomy software
- Experience with unmanned systems, autonomy simulation, and software- or hardware-in-the-loop testing
- Systems-level problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance
Responsibilities
- Manage autonomy engineers and provide coaching, feedback, and technical mentorship
- Identify team skill needs, interview, hire, and onboard engineers
- Lead autonomy capabilities from design through integration, validation, and field deployment
- Define technical approaches and architectures for mission autonomy
- Guide development of motion planning, tactical behaviors, track fusion, multi-agent coordination, and target assignment
- Contribute to prototypes, design reviews, technical investigations, and delivery milestones
- Ensure well-tested software, clear interfaces, and reliable deployment
- Make technical and staffing decisions amid changing priorities
- Collaborate with internal teams and defense customers on requirements and integration
- Lead software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and live-test validation
- Use mission and test data to diagnose failures and improve the technical roadmap
Benefits
- Bonus
- Equity