# Senior Software Engineer, Autonomy Capabilities – Maritime

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Boston, MA, Washington, DC, San Diego, CA, Dallas, TX
**Role:** Fullstack Engineering
**Salary:** $160k – $240k/yr
**Experience:** 10+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, Motion Planning, Control Systems, Optimization, Sensor Fusion, Distributed Systems, Task Allocation, Robotics, Simulation, Afsim, Ngts, Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Swarm Robotics
**Posted:** 2026-08-26

> Develop and deploy maritime autonomy software for USVs, UUVs, and cooperating UAVs, including motion planning, localization, safe behaviors, and multi-agent coordination. The role requires substantial robotics experience, C++ and Python proficiency, simulation expertise, and eligibility for a SECRET clearance.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Develop autonomy capabilities for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and cooperating UAVs performing advanced single- and multi-agent missions.
- Create advanced motion-planning capabilities with safety constraints, including keep-out volumes, cooperative and uncooperative vehicles, and depth limitations.
- Develop passive and active localization and tracking approaches, sensor-fusion modalities, sensor requirements, and observability-aware maneuvering capabilities.
- Build safe maritime autonomy behaviors, including run-time assurance and COLREGS adherence.
- Develop distributed optimization and task-allocation approaches for heterogeneous multi-agent teaming.
- Create high-performance, well-tested software modules with clear interfaces for mid- to high-TRL deployments.
- 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, and analyze mission logs to validate performance and operational effects.
- Research and prototype algorithms, identify tactical capability gaps, and contribute to autonomy roadmaps.
- Own major features end-to-end, mentor junior engineers, and provide limited customer interface support.
- Travel approximately 25% of the year for office, customer, and 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.
- Significant experience in robotics areas such as control systems, motion planning, optimization, tactical behaviors, or distributed decision-making.
- Significant experience with unmanned systems and associated algorithms, preferably in maritime applications.
- Experience with simulation tools and environments such as AFSIM, NGTS, or similar.
- Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and system-optimization skills.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills in multidisciplinary environments.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance or higher.

## Nice-to-Haves
- Experience across multiple 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 relevant Department of Defense or government programs.
- Hands-on experience with integration events, customer demonstrations, or live exercises.
- Applied research and development experience.

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