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Shield AIShield AIWashington, DC

Chief Engineer, Autonomy (R4614)

Leads engineering team as Chief Engineer to develop and deploy Hivemind autonomy solutions on unmanned aircraft systems for DoD contracts. Requires 10+ years in autonomy/UAS, expertise in robotics stack, GNC, and leadership of technical teams.

200k – 300k/yr
On-site10+ YOEEngineering Management

About the role

Responsibilities

  • Serve as Chief Engineer on projects developing and deploying autonomy solutions for unmanned aircraft.
  • Lead team advancing Hivemind Autonomy and shaping DoD autonomy architectures.
  • Define technical objectives, make key engineering decisions, ensure quality of technical deliverables.
  • Provide technical leadership for IRAD initiatives and DoD contracts.

Required Qualifications

  • BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
  • 10+ years industry experience in autonomy and/or UAS platforms (e.g., defense tech, self-driving car).
  • 7+ years delivering software to production/certifiable high-reliability environments.
  • Understanding of GNC (guidance, control, navigation: controls, estimation, planning).
  • Understanding of robotics stack (controls, estimation, perception, planning).
  • Understanding of software development processes and deployment.
  • Experience defining technical scope, managing requirements, product architectures, ICDs, system design documentation.
  • Problem-solving with scientific technical approach.
  • Customer-facing engineering leadership for defense and internal programs.
  • Contribute to government contract proposal writing.
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills (team of 6-20 engineers).

Skills

AutonomyUasHivemindGncControlsEstimationPlanningPerceptionRoboticsSoftware Development

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