The Autonomous Pilot Integration team for expeditionary platforms builds autonomy solutions for V-BAT — an unmanned aircraft operating in expeditionary environments for ISR, target acquisition, communications, and multi-agent missions. The team also builds autonomy for X-BAT, a new platform under development by the aircraft team; for X-BAT, the team builds on top of the existing mission autonomy solution from the Strategic Systems (ACP) portfolio and works closely with the aircraft team on the flight-autonomy interface. We combine capabilities from the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team (e.g., ViDAR, ATR), and the HivemindSDK to develop the autonomy software that runs on these platforms, then integrate, validate, and field it on the real hardware — for U.S. and international defense customers.
In this role, you'll develop new autonomy capabilities — including mission behaviors, platform-specific control (including VTOL transitions), multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy — and own major features from software-in-the-loop, to hardware-in-the-loop, to vehicle-in-the-loop, to live flight test. You'll partner closely with the Aircraft team, Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS, feature crews, and customer stakeholders to deliver mission-ready autonomy software and solve complex integration challenges. As a senior engineer, you'll provide technical leadership across major capabilities, mentor teammates, influence architecture and integration strategy, and help drive successful field deployments for both mature and emerging expeditionary platforms.
This team has a strong fielded-operator culture — long-endurance ISR missions, customer-driven workflow iteration, and demanding live exercises across multiple U.S. and international services. It's a hands-on role for engineers who want to see their software operate on real aircraft and directly support operators in the field.
What You'll Do:
Develop & Field Autonomy – Develop and integrate autonomy software for V-BAT and X-BAT, including mission behaviors, platform-specific control, payload and sensor integration (e.g., ViDAR, EO/IR), multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy. Own major features from software-in-the-loop through live flight testing.
Aircraft Team Partnership – Collaborate closely with the Aircraft team to integrate autonomy capabilities, validate platform interfaces, coordinate hardware/software compatibility, and support release readiness.
Collaboration Across Teams & Partners – Partner with the Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS, Strategic Systems (ACP), feature crews, and customer stakeholders to deliver integrated mission capabilities.
Technical Leadership – Own significant features or subsystems, drive technical execution, mentor teammates, and contribute to design reviews and integration planning.
Pre-deployment Preparation – Build, configure, validate, and prepare mission-ready systems while ensuring software, hardware, and operator workflows are ready for deployment.
On-site Test & Mission Support – Support flight tests, customer demonstrations, operator training, and deployment events through system bring-up, troubleshooting, and mission execution.
Hardware/Software Debugging – Diagnose integration issues across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, and platform interfaces using simulation and operational testing.
Mission Data & Continuous Improvement – Analyze mission data, drive root-cause analysis, and build tools and processes that improve integration efficiency and mission reliability.
C2 Interoperability & Standards – Implement and validate interfaces with GCS and command-and-control systems while supporting compliance with STANAG 4586, UCI, and OMS.
Travel Requirement – Members of this team typically travel around 10–20% of the year to different office locations, customer sites, operator training events, flight tests, and integration exercises.
Required Qualifications:
BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
5+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent advanced degree experience).
Strong C++ development experience in real-time or embedded systems.
Experience with Linux-based development and embedded systems.
Experience integrating complex software systems and troubleshooting across hardware/software boundaries.
Experience supporting system integration, testing, or field events.
Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with unmanned aircraft or autonomous systems.
Experience with autonomy software, robotics, or vehicle control.
Experience with payload or sensor integration.
Python, Docker, CMake/Conan, or CI/CD experience.
Experience with military test events or defense customers.
Skills Required
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
- 5+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent advanced degree experience)
- Strong C++ development experience in real-time or embedded systems
- Experience with Linux-based development and embedded systems
- Experience integrating complex software systems and troubleshooting across hardware/software boundaries
- Experience supporting system integration, testing, or field events
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance
- Experience with unmanned aircraft or autonomous systems
- Experience with autonomy software, robotics, or vehicle control
- Experience with payload or sensor integration (e.g., ViDAR, EO/IR)
- Python, Docker, CMake/Conan, or CI/CD experience
- Experience with military test events or defense customers
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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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.
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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.
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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
At Shield AI, you won't wait years to see your work reach the field. You'll build hardware and software that operates in the real world right now, in the hands of the people who depend on it. Hivemind, our AI pilot, has been flying since 2018. It has flown more than 30 platforms, including an F-16, and it now sits under a U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. When you write code or shape a system here, you contribute to technology with a proven flight record and a clear production future. V-BAT flies intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with an operational record that stretches from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. It delivers eyes where they matter most, in the most demanding conditions on earth. The teams behind it watch their work get tested where the stakes are real. X-BAT takes its first flight this year. It's an AI-piloted fighter that needs no runway, built to operate where traditional aircraft can't. Join now and you help shape a program at its earliest, most formative stage. That's the kind of ground-floor work that defines a career. Do the most impactful work of your life, on problems that matter. Autonomy at this level asks a lot of you. You'll take on problems in perception, planning, and control that few teams anywhere are equipped to solve. You'll work across disciplines, from aerospace and robotics to machine learning and systems engineering, alongside people who hold themselves to an exacting standard and expect the same from you. Our mission is clear: protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. That purpose runs through every decision, every design review, and every deployment. It's why the work here carries a weight you can feel. Ready to join our mission? Explore our open roles and find where you fit.
Why Work With Us
Founded in 2015 by a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI builds AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft. Veterans aren't an afterthought here, they're at every level. It's why the work carries weight: AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft flying real missions, from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, protecting service members and civilians.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
