# Senior Staff Engineer, Autonomy - Tactical Behaviors (R4073)
**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Washington, DC, Boston, MA, San Diego, CA
**Salary:** $221K-$331K
**Experience:** 10+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, Rtos, Motion Planning, Reinforcement Learning, Afsim, Ngts, ROS, Simulation Tools, Machine Learning
**Posted:** 2025-08-15
> Designs and implements tactical autonomy algorithms and high-performance software for unmanned systems across air, land, and sea domains, integrating classical methods with reinforcement learning. Requires 10+ years experience in robotics, C++/Python proficiency, and DoD-relevant unmanned tech.
## Job Description
## Responsibilities
- Design tactical autonomy algorithms for unmanned aircraft across air, land, and sea domains with minimal human supervision.
- Develop high-performance software modules for planning, decision-making, and behavior execution in dynamic environments.
- Implement and test behavior architectures for multi-agent coordination, target engagement, reconnaissance, and survivability.
- Integrate classical autonomy with machine learning methods like reinforcement learning.
- Collaborate with perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and flight test teams.
- Deploy to real platforms, participate in field tests and flight demos.
- Analyze mission logs to optimize behaviors.
- Contribute to R&D, roadmap, and prototype new algorithms.
- Support defense programs and adapt to mission needs.
- Travel 10-15% for offices, customer sites, and events.

## Requirements
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
- 10+ years experience (BS), 9+ (MS), 7+ (PhD), or equivalent.
- Proficiency in **C++**, **Python**, familiarity with **RTOS**.
- Background in robotics: motion planning, behavior modeling, decision-making, autonomous systems.
- Experience with unmanned systems (air domain) and algorithms.
- Experience with simulation tools (e.g., **AFSIM**, **NGTS**).
- Strong problem-solving, communication, teamwork.
- Ability to obtain **SECRET** clearance.

## Preferred
- **ML/RL** in autonomy.
- Collaborative behaviors, swarm robotics, distributed decision-making.
- Tactical behaviors for DoD unmanned systems.
- Behaviors across air, ground, maritime.
- Flight demos or live exercises.
- **UCI**, **OMS** Standards.
**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/senior-staff-engineer-autonomy-tactical-behaviors-r4073-at-shield-ai-3c403ec6-8a00-4bb9-8816-71b26ec17943
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/senior-staff-engineer-autonomy-tactical-behaviors-r4073-at-shield-ai-3c403ec6-8a00-4bb9-8816-71b26ec17943