# Senior Staff Engineer, Autonomy Capabilities - Space

**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:** 10+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, rtos, motion planning, behavior modeling, decision-making, autonomous systems, distributed optimization, control systems, Robotics, Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, simulation, afsim, ngts
**Posted:** 2026-08-05

> Leads technical direction and develops autonomy algorithms and high-performance software for satellite and missile-defense applications. The role requires deep robotics, optimization, control, and unmanned-systems expertise, along with significant experience integrating capabilities into real-world platforms.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities

- Lead the technical direction for the space autonomy portfolio across multiple programs.
- Develop autonomy capabilities for satellites and missile defense applications, including distributed optimization, automated tasking and scheduling, track fusion, rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), and space vehicle motion and behavior planning.
- Apply multi-objective optimization to distributed decision-making, task allocation, and resource scheduling for coordinated multi-satellite missions.
- Develop weapons target assignment and motion-planning approaches for space vehicles and interceptors.
- Advance low-SWaP optimal control, cooperative and adversarial tactical behavior management, and information-aware planning.
- Develop high-performance, well-tested software modules with clear interfaces for mid- to high-TRL integration.
- Collaborate with perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and flight-test teams to integrate autonomy solutions onto real-world platforms.
- Deploy autonomy capabilities to space vehicles; analyze mission logs to verify software performance and validate operational effects.
- Research and prototype algorithms, identify tactical capability gaps, and contribute to autonomy roadmaps.
- Mentor engineers and translate ambiguous customer needs into tangible design approaches.
- Travel approximately 10–15% of the year for office locations, customer sites, and flight-integration events.

## Requirements

- Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Typically 10 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree, 9 years with a master's degree, or 7 years with a PhD, or equivalent work experience.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python, with familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
- Significant experience with robotics technologies involving motion planning, behavior modeling, decision-making, or autonomous-system design.
- Significant experience with unmanned-system technologies and associated algorithms, ideally in the space domain.
- Experience with simulation tools and environments such as AFSIM and NGTS for testing and validation.
- Strong problem-solving skills, including troubleshooting and system-performance optimization.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

## Preferred Qualifications

- Experience across multiple aerospace domains, such as air, land, sea, and space.
- Experience with classical control, optimization, and applied machine learning or reinforcement learning.
- Background in collaborative behaviors and swarm robotics.
- Familiarity with relevant Department of Defense or government programs.
- Hands-on experience supporting integration events, customer demonstrations, or live exercises.

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