Senior Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration

What You'll Do

Develop & Field Autonomy — Develop & integrate autonomy software solutions onto unmanned platforms (air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables), including payload computer bring-up, container-based deployment (e.g., k3s/k3d), and configuration across onboard compute, sensors, and command-and-control interfaces. Own the technical direction across a set of related programs, driving the autonomy reference implementation and common patterns that keep delivery coherent across portfolios.

Technical Strategy & Leadership — Set the technical direction across multiple programs; drive the autonomy reference implementation and common patterns that portfolios adopt; anticipate where the stack needs to go and adapt as priorities shift; align with engineering leadership early and maintain outward status; serve as the subject-matter expert that the broader org reaches for when hard, ambiguous problems in unknown solution spaces land on the team.

Collaboration & Cross-Engineering Influence — Build effective working relationships across engineering; represent the team to engineering leadership, customer/program offices, standards bodies, and external partners (platform integrators, vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers); shape architecture decisions beyond the team.

Mentorship & Growth — Mentor senior engineers and other team leads; provide cross-functional mentorship to engineers in adjacent departments; help shape the leveling and career bar for the team and the broader engineering organization.

Design & Documentation — Drive cross-functional design reviews, architecture documents, and post-mortems across many teams; publish content that informs decisions beyond the team; set the rigor and process bar for the broader engineering org.

Pre-deployment Preparation — Own the build, configuration, and validation process for mission-ready systems; coordinate hardware/software compatibility, mission readiness, and release cadence with capability and feature teams.

On-site Test & Mission Support — Travel to test sites and support live mission operations (flight tests, range exercises, on-water trials, integration events), including safety checks, system bring-up, and troubleshooting under time-critical constraints.

Hardware/Software Debugging — Diagnose and resolve integration issues across complex autonomy stacks, payload computers, and embedded systems in lab and field environments — including memory, CPU, and timing profiling under operationally-representative loads.

Mission Data & Debrief Support — Capture mission and test data, reproduce issues in simulation, and partner with autonomy capability owners to drive fixes back into the next build.

Continuous Improvement — Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines, test/mission reliability, and team efficiency across deployment cycles.

C2 Interoperability & Standards — Set the strategy for C2 interoperability across our portfolio; shape interface evolution with internal and external stakeholders; own implementation and compliance against command-and-control standards (e.g., A-GRA, UCI, OMS).

Hiring — Define the skills bar and hiring strategy for senior roles in your area; partner with managers on long-term staffing plans; assess candidates accurately and onboard new senior engineers.

Required Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience
• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 9 years and a Master's degree; or 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience
• Proficiency in C++, with experience developing or integrating real-time or latency-sensitive systems
• Proficiency in Linux-based development and experience working with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics
• Familiarity with middleware, pub-sub, or IPC frameworks used in autonomy or robotics systems (e.g., DDS, message buses)
• Hands-on experience supporting demos, exercises, or field/mission tests for unmanned or autonomous systems
• Experience with autonomy simulation environments for testing and validation
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple teams or driving cross-program technical initiatives from concept through fielded delivery
• Track record as the subject-matter expert sought across engineering on hard, ambiguous problems in unknown solution spaces in your discipline
• Track record of setting forward-looking technical strategy and adjusting course as programs and priorities evolve
• Track record of mentoring senior engineers and team leads, and shaping the career bar for the discipline
• Experience shaping architecture decisions, interface contracts, and standards across multiple teams
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance across the full stack
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience supporting unmanned systems (air, maritime, space, ground, or effects/expendables) or similar field test campaigns
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and analysis
• Experience leading multiple programs or driving cross-program technical initiatives in an unmanned systems context
• Experience interfacing with customers and external stakeholders, representing the company in technical engagements, briefing senior leadership, and presenting to...