Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. We are seeking an Autonomy Software Integration & Test Engineer to support development, integration, testing, and deployment of autonomous systems in Ukraine.
This role is ideal for a hands-on engineer who enjoys working across software, hardware, aircraft systems, and flight operations in fast-paced field environments. The position combines autonomy software development, system integration, and real-world flight testing across unmanned and autonomous platforms.
The ideal candidate is comfortable writing and debugging software, integrating autonomy systems onto fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned or autonomous systems, troubleshooting issues in both lab and field environments, and supporting live flight operations under evolving operational conditions. This role requires an engineer who can move fluidly between software development, aircraft integration, flight testing, demonstrations, and operational troubleshooting in a rapidly growing startup environment.
The ideal candidate demonstrates strong ownership, a bias toward action, and the ability to solve complex problems across software, hardware, and flight operations in rapidly evolving environments.
This role will primarily support operations in the Lviv region, with occasional travel to other locations within Ukraine for demonstrations, testing, and operational support activities.
What you'll do:
- Develop and contribute production-quality software features and capabilities for autonomous systems
- Design, implement, debug, and maintain software components supporting autonomy, mission execution, system integration, and flight operations
- Integrate autonomy software onto fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned or autonomous systems
- Develop internal tools, automation, telemetry analysis pipelines, and test infrastructure in C++ and Python
- Support software bring-up, system configuration, and mission readiness for flight operations
- Debug and troubleshoot issues across autonomy software, onboard compute, radios, networking, sensors, flight controllers, and mission systems
- Support simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, ground testing, and live flight test activities
- Support field demonstrations and operational test events, including pre-flight setup, system validation, troubleshooting, and post-flight analysis
- Operate and troubleshoot Ground Control Stations (GCS) and mission support systems
- Capture, analyze, and review flight and system data to support root cause analysis and system improvements
- Work closely with autonomy, systems, hardware, and flight test teams to rapidly integrate and validate new capabilities
- Support rapid software iteration and operational testing in dynamic startup and field environments
- Contribute to operational documentation, test procedures, integration workflows, and deployment readiness activities
- Travel to test sites and support field operations as required
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience
- 3+ years of experience developing and integrating software for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related technical fields
- Strong software engineering experience in C++ and Python, including development, debugging, and system integration
- Experience contributing to complex software systems in robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related domains
- Experience working with Linux-based systems and development environments
- Hands-on experience integrating and troubleshooting hardware and software systems
- Experience supporting field testing, flight testing, demonstrations, or operational exercises
- Familiarity with MAVLink, PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, or related unmanned systems technologies
- Experience debugging distributed or cross-disciplinary systems involving software, networking, sensors, radios, onboard compute, and mission systems
- Strong sense of ownership and ability to operate independently in fast-paced environments
- Strong problem-solving mindset and willingness to work across disciplines
- Ability to travel within Ukraine as required
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience supporting autonomous aircraft or unmanned systems
- Experience with SIL, HIL, VIL, simulation, or flight test environments
- Familiarity with ROS, DDS, embedded systems, or real-time systems
- Experience with RF communications, datalinks, and networking systems
- Experience supporting live flight demonstrations or operational deployments
- Familiarity with flight controllers, avionics systems, and aircraft integration
- Experience building internal tools for testing, automation, telemetry analysis, or operational support
- Background in defense, robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems
- Ukrainian and English language proficiency
- Experience operating in fast-paced and dynamic field environments
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical engineering, or equivalent experience
- 3+ years developing and integrating software for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related fields
- Strong software engineering experience in C++ and Python
- Experience contributing to complex software systems in robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or embedded domains
- Experience working with Linux-based systems and development environments
- Hands-on experience integrating and troubleshooting hardware and software systems (sensors, radios, onboard compute, flight controllers)
- Experience supporting field testing, flight testing, demonstrations, or operational exercises
- Familiarity with MAVLink, PX4, ArduPilot, or QGroundControl
- Experience debugging distributed systems involving software, networking, sensors, radios, and mission systems
- Strong ownership, problem-solving mindset, and ability to operate independently in fast-paced environments
- Ability to travel within Ukraine as required (support Lviv region operations and other locations)
- Experience supporting autonomous aircraft or unmanned systems
- Experience with SIL, HIL, VIL, simulation, or flight test environments
- Familiarity with ROS, DDS, embedded or real-time systems
- Experience with RF communications, datalinks, and networking systems
- Experience with flight controllers, avionics systems, and aircraft integration
- Ukrainian and English language proficiency
- Background in defense, robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems
- Experience operating in fast-paced and dynamic field environments
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
-
Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
-
Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
Gallery
Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
