# Staff Engineer, Perception

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** London, United Kingdom
**Role:** Embedded Engineering
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, Linux, Mavlink, Px4, Ardupilot, Qgroundcontrol, ROS, Dds, Real-Time Systems, Rf Communications, Networking, Telemetry Analysis, Flight Controllers, Simulation
**Posted:** 2026-08-27

> Staff-level engineer developing, integrating, and field-testing autonomy software across unmanned aircraft and related systems. Requires strong C++ and Python experience, robotics or aerospace systems integration, hardware troubleshooting, and flight-test support.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Develop and contribute production-quality software features for autonomous systems.
- Design, implement, debug, and maintain software supporting autonomy, mission execution, system integration, and flight operations.
- Integrate autonomy software onto fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned systems.
- Build internal tools, automation, telemetry analysis pipelines, and test infrastructure using C++ and Python.
- Support software bring-up, system configuration, and mission readiness for flight operations.
- Troubleshoot autonomy software, onboard compute, radios, networking, sensors, flight controllers, and mission systems.
- Support simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, ground testing, and live flight tests.
- Support field demonstrations and operational test events, including pre-flight setup, validation, troubleshooting, and post-flight analysis.
- Operate and troubleshoot Ground Control Stations and mission support systems.
- Analyze flight and system data for root-cause analysis and system improvements.
- Collaborate with autonomy, systems, hardware, and flight-test teams to integrate and validate capabilities.
- Contribute to operational documentation, test procedures, integration workflows, and deployment readiness.
- Travel within Ukraine and to test sites as required.

## Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 3+ years of experience developing and integrating software for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related technical fields.
- Strong C++ and Python software engineering experience, including development, debugging, and system integration.
- Experience contributing to complex software systems in robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related domains.
- Experience with Linux-based systems and development environments.
- Hands-on experience integrating and troubleshooting hardware and software systems.
- Experience supporting field testing, flight testing, demonstrations, or operational exercises.
- Familiarity with MAVLink, PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, or related unmanned-systems technologies.
- Experience debugging distributed or cross-disciplinary systems involving software, networking, sensors, radios, onboard compute, and mission systems.
- Ability to work independently, solve complex problems, and operate across disciplines in fast-paced environments.
- Ability to travel within Ukraine.

## Nice-to-haves
- Experience supporting autonomous aircraft or unmanned systems.
- Experience with SIL, HIL, VIL, simulation, or flight-test environments.
- Familiarity with ROS, DDS, embedded systems, or real-time systems.
- Experience with RF communications, datalinks, and networking systems.
- Experience supporting live flight demonstrations or operational deployments.
- Familiarity with flight controllers, avionics systems, and aircraft integration.
- Experience building testing, automation, telemetry-analysis, or operational-support tools.
- Background in defense, robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems.
- Ukrainian and English language proficiency.
- Experience operating in dynamic field environments.

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