Senior Software Engineer Autonomous Pilot Integration
Shield AI is a U.S. defense-technology company developing mission-autonomy software and autonomous aircraft for military and allied operations.
Funding history
Investors
About Shield AI
Founded in 2015, Shield AI builds Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft for operations in contested, GPS- and communications-denied environments. Its current site also presents Aechelon synthetic-reality simulation and Vision Systems detection and tracking products.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft, prepare and validate flight-ready systems, and support live flight operations. You will diagnose embedded-system and software issues, capture and analyze flight data, collaborate across engineering functions, improve integration processes, and support certification and compliance documentation.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, a similar field, or equivalent practical experience
- At least 2 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree, or a master's or PhD with internship or equivalent practical experience
- C++ and Python proficiency
- Familiarity with real-time operating systems
- Linux-based development, embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics
- Knowledge of sensor integration, sensor fusion, and middleware frameworks
- Experience supporting flight demonstrations or live exercises
- Experience with simulation tools and environments for testing and validation
- Ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance
Responsibilities
- Integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft systems
- Prepare, configure, and validate flight-ready systems
- Coordinate hardware and software compatibility and mission readiness
- Support live flight operations, safety checks, system bring-up, and troubleshooting
- Diagnose hardware and software integration issues
- Capture and analyze flight data
- Collaborate with autonomy, GNC, systems, and test functions
- Build tools and processes to improve integration and flight-test reliability
- Support certification, airworthiness, compliance documentation, and system validation
- Travel 30–40% for offices, customer sites, and flight-integration events
Benefits
- Bonus
- Equity