# Senior 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:** AI Research
**Salary:** $221k – $331k/yr
**Experience:** 10+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, Rtos, Robotics, Motion Planning, Sensor Fusion, Optimization, Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Swarm Robotics, Afsim, Ngts, Colregs, Simulation, Autonomous Systems
**Posted:** 2026-08-26

> Leads technical direction and develops maritime autonomy capabilities for unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, including motion planning, localization, safe behaviors, and heterogeneous multi-agent collaboration. Requires deep robotics and unmanned-systems experience, strong C++/Python skills, and senior technical leadership.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Lead technical direction for maritime autonomy capabilities and architectures across multiple programs.
- Develop advanced motion planning for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), including safety constraints, keep-out volumes, vehicle interactions, and depth limitations.
- Design passive and active localization and tracking approaches, sensor-fusion modalities, sensor requirements, and observability-aware maneuvering for single- and multi-agent networks.
- Build safe autonomous behavior architectures with runtime assurance and COLREGS adherence.
- Develop distributed optimization and task-allocation approaches for heterogeneous multi-agent collaboration.
- 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 onto real-world platforms.
- Deploy capabilities to surface vehicles, support integration and demonstrations, analyze mission logs, and validate operational performance.
- Research and prototype algorithms, identify tactical capability gaps, and contribute to autonomy roadmaps.
- Mentor engineers and translate ambiguous customer needs into design approaches.
- 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.
- Minimum related experience of 10 years with a bachelor's degree, 9 years with a master's degree, or 7 years with a PhD, or equivalent experience.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python; familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
- Significant experience with robotics motion planning, behavior modeling, decision-making, or autonomous system design.
- Significant experience with unmanned systems and related algorithms.
- Experience with simulation tools and environments such as AFSIM and NGTS.
- Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and system optimization skills.
- Excellent communication and multidisciplinary teamwork skills.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

## Nice-to-Haves
- Experience across multiple aerospace domains, including air, land, sea, or 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.

## Compensation
- Annual salary range: $220,800–$331,200.

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