# Senior Staff Engineer, Autonomy - Tactical Behaviors (R4073)

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Washington, DC, Boston, MA, San Diego, CA
**Role:** Embedded Engineering
**Salary:** $221k – $331k/yr
**Experience:** 10+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, Rtos, Motion Planning, Reinforcement Learning, Afsim, Ngts, ROS, Simulation Tools, Machine Learning
**Posted:** 2025-08-15

> Designs and implements tactical autonomy algorithms and high-performance software for unmanned systems across air, land, and sea domains, integrating classical methods with reinforcement learning. Requires 10+ years experience in robotics, C++/Python proficiency, and DoD-relevant unmanned tech.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Design tactical autonomy algorithms for unmanned aircraft across air, land, and sea domains with minimal human supervision.
- Develop high-performance software modules for planning, decision-making, and behavior execution in dynamic environments.
- Implement and test behavior architectures for multi-agent coordination, target engagement, reconnaissance, and survivability.
- Integrate classical autonomy with machine learning methods like reinforcement learning.
- Collaborate with perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and flight test teams.
- Deploy to real platforms, participate in field tests and flight demos.
- Analyze mission logs to optimize behaviors.
- Contribute to R&D, roadmap, and prototype new algorithms.
- Support defense programs and adapt to mission needs.
- Travel 10-15% for offices, customer sites, and events.

## Requirements
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
- 10+ years experience (BS), 9+ (MS), 7+ (PhD), or equivalent.
- Proficiency in **C++**, **Python**, familiarity with **RTOS**.
- Background in robotics: motion planning, behavior modeling, decision-making, autonomous systems.
- Experience with unmanned systems (air domain) and algorithms.
- Experience with simulation tools (e.g., **AFSIM**, **NGTS**).
- Strong problem-solving, communication, teamwork.
- Ability to obtain **SECRET** clearance.

## Preferred
- **ML/RL** in autonomy.
- Collaborative behaviors, swarm robotics, distributed decision-making.
- Tactical behaviors for DoD unmanned systems.
- Behaviors across air, ground, maritime.
- Flight demos or live exercises.
- **UCI**, **OMS** Standards.

## Similar roles

- [Senior Staff Engineer, Software - Autonomous Aircraft Integration (R4983)](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/21adca5a-476e-4b6c-a8cc-297f3b246ddf) - Shield AI - Washington, DC - $221k – $331k/yr
- [Senior / Staff Connectivity Integration Lead](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/927394e1-aac0-4ada-b39c-e104c373eea8) - Zoox - Foster City, CA - $220k – $275k/yr
- [Senior Staff Engineer, Flight Controls - X-BAT (R4812)](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/4848979b-3869-4d74-9000-8910bb76bdf6) - Shield AI - Dallas, TX - $220k – $340k/yr
- [Staff Software Engineer – Cloud & Embedded Systems Configuration](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/1254e853-8736-4bbb-97a6-02d2982e90b5) - Zoox - Foster City, CA - $219k – $263k/yr
- [Staff Software Engineer - Embedded](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/e94fa11b-0b09-42a1-8e88-bebd349f9900) - Skydio - San Mateo, CA - $226k – $283k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/3c403ec6-8a00-4bb9-8816-71b26ec17943
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/3c403ec6-8a00-4bb9-8816-71b26ec17943