# Staff Engineer, Autonomy Capabilities – Maritime

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Washington, DC, Boston, MA, San Diego, CA, Dallas, TX
**Role:** ML Engineering
**Salary:** $221k – $331k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, Rtos, Motion Planning, Robotics, Sensor Fusion, Optimization, Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Swarm Robotics, Afsim, Ngts, Colregs, Multi-Agent Systems, Simulation
**Posted:** 2026-08-26

> Leads development and integration of advanced maritime autonomy for USVs, UUVs, and cooperating UAVs, including motion planning, localization, safety, and multi-agent coordination. Requires staff-level technical leadership, substantial robotics experience, C++ and Python proficiency, and eligibility for a SECRET clearance.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Lead technical delivery of complex autonomy capabilities for maritime platforms.
- Develop advanced motion-planning and safety-constrained maneuvering for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
- Build passive and active localization and tracking capabilities using sensor fusion, observability-aware maneuvering, and single- or multi-agent sensor networks.
- Develop safe autonomous behaviors, runtime assurance, COLREGS-compliant operations, and operator-trust features.
- Create distributed optimization and task-allocation approaches for heterogeneous multi-agent teams.
- Develop high-performance, well-tested software modules with clear interfaces for mid-to-high Technology Readiness Level insertions.
- Collaborate with perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and operational-test teams to integrate autonomy solutions onto real-world platforms.
- Deploy capabilities to surface vehicles, support integration and demonstration events, analyze mission logs, and validate operational performance.
- Research and prototype algorithms, identify tactical capability gaps, and contribute to autonomy roadmaps.
- Travel approximately 25% of the year to offices, customer sites, and integration events.

## Requirements
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Typically 7 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree, 6 years with a master’s degree, or 4 years with a PhD, or equivalent experience.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python, with familiarity with real-time operating systems.
- Significant experience with robotics technologies involving motion planning, behavior modeling, decision-making, or autonomous system design.
- Significant experience with unmanned systems and related algorithms.
- Experience with simulation environments such as AFSIM and NGTS.
- Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and system-optimization skills.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

## Nice-to-Haves
- Experience across multiple aerospace domains, including air, land, sea, or space.
- Experience spanning classical control, optimization, and applied machine learning or reinforcement learning.
- Background in collaborative behaviors and swarm robotics.
- Familiarity with defense or government programs.
- Hands-on experience supporting integration events, customer demonstrations, or live exercises.

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