# Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Washington, DC, San Diego, CA, Boston, MA, Dallas, TX
**Role:** Embedded Engineering
**Salary:** $195k – $293k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** C++, Linux, autonomy software, Embedded Systems, px4, ardupilot, uci, oms, mosa, wosa, tak, cot
**Posted:** 2026-07-21

> Lead technical delivery and integration of autonomy software for launched effects platforms in multi-agent fleets, often in disconnected environments. Own end-to-end development from simulation to live tests, drive architecture and cross-team collaboration, and support operational deployments and flight tests. Requires 7+ years experience with expert C++ and Linux skills.

## Job Description

## What You'll Do
- Lead the technical execution of major autonomy capabilities; drive technical direction, coordinate cross-functional execution, mentor engineers, and help deliver complex integration efforts.
- Develop and integrate autonomy software solutions onto launched effects platforms, including autopilot integration, payload systems, executive autonomy, multi-agent coordination, and fleet-scale deployment to disconnected or air-gapped environments.
- Serve as a primary technical interface with the Autonomy Capabilities team, Perception team, feature crews, autopilot vendors, C2 providers, and customer/contractor partners; influence interface definitions and coordinate integration across organizations.
- Lead design reviews, contribute to architecture decisions and ICDs, improve engineering rigor, and establish repeatable integration practices across multiple efforts.
- Drive mission readiness for Capability Releases and fleet-scale deployments by coordinating validation, release planning, hardware/software compatibility, and operational readiness.
- Provide technical leadership during flight tests, customer demonstrations, range exercises, and operational deployments while troubleshooting complex issues under time-critical constraints.
- Lead root-cause analysis across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, networking, and platform interfaces using simulation, lab testing, and field data.
- Analyze mission data, reproduce issues, coordinate corrective actions across engineering teams, and drive continuous improvements into future releases.
- Build tools, automation, and engineering processes that improve deployment velocity, mission reliability, developer productivity, and integration efficiency.
- Drive implementation of command-and-control interfaces and support compliance with open-systems standards while coordinating closely with external integration partners.

## Required Qualifications
- BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience.
- Typically requires 7+ years of relevant experience.
- Expert C++ and Linux development experience.
- Experience leading complex autonomy or embedded software integration efforts.
- Experience influencing technical direction across multiple engineering teams.
- Experience supporting operational test events or customer deployments.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

## Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with launched effects or distributed autonomous systems.
- Experience integrating PX4, ArduPilot, or custom autopilot solutions.
- Experience with fleet-scale autonomous operations.
- Experience with disconnected or air-gapped deployments.
- Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical initiatives.
- Experience with UCI, OMS, MOSA, WOSA, or TAK/CoT.

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