The Autonomy Capabilities team at Shield AI has assembled a diverse team of experts in software, robotics, control systems, optimization, and data analysis to create software solutions that greatly evolve the capabilities of our customers. The team is responsible for developing autonomous behaviors within Shield AI’s industry-leading mission autonomy software stack and deploying them across a breadth of platforms, including the Anduril Fury, Northrup Grumman Talon, Shield AI V-Bat, and other first and third-party autonomous vehicles. We work in close coordination with specialist teams in software integration, hardware, and test engineering to solve some of the hardest problems facing our customers.
About the Job:
What You'll Do:
- Develop tactical autonomy software to enable unmanned platforms to perform complex missions across air, land, sea, and space domains with limited human supervision
- Implement and test behaviors supporting multi-agent coordination, target engagement, reconnaissance, and survivability in contested scenarios
- Contribute across the software development lifecycle, including requirements, design, implementation, verification, and validation, following established engineering best practices
- Collaborate with senior engineers to design and build scalable, maintainable software components that integrate with broader system architecture (e.g., sensor processing, state estimation, communications, and actuation)
- Support reuse and extensibility of autonomy behaviors by contributing to shared frameworks and codebases
- Work with internal product and program teams to deliver capabilities to vehicle platforms, helping ensure successful integration and iteration over time
- Collaborate with cross-functional and external teams to align on interfaces and system requirements
- Apply strong software engineering fundamentals to solve complex technical problems, while continuing to grow domain expertise in autonomy and robotics systems
- Travel up to 20% to support integration, testing, and collaboration with end-users and partner teams
Required Qualifications:
- BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
- Proficient in production-level C++ software development
- 5+ years' experience in one or more of the following: software sub-system scheduling and integration, behavior planning, task and resource allocation, motion planning, optimization, or flight controls
- Experience with collaborative software development tools for version control, issue tracking, code reviews, release management
- Ability to contribute to the design, development, and integration of complex software systems as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to learn new technologies in a fast-paced environment
- Willingness to collaborate closely with teammates and support team objectives
- Interest in growing technical skills and, over time, providing guidance to more junior engineers
- Desire to work in a highly collaborative, fast paced, and mission-driven environment
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with systems at one or more technology readiness levels (TRLs), including supporting the maturation of research concepts toward operational use
- Experience with mission systems integration, including participation in integration events, testing, or demonstrations
- Experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Collaborative mission planning, behavior planning, or coordinated teaming
- Motion planning across different vehicle types or constraints
- Sensor/target pairing, control strategies, or related autonomy functions
- Safety systems such as collision avoidance or geofencing
- Experience with robotic software ecosystems (e.g., ROS, OMPL, optimization tools)
- Experience with simulation tools for testing and validation
- Familiarity with navigation and communications systems
- Experience contributing to portions of the product development lifecycle
- Familiarity with systems engineering principles
- Familiarity with high-assurance software practices (e.g., DO-178C or similar standards)
Skills Required
- BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- Proficient in production-level C++ software development
- 5+ years experience in software sub-system scheduling and integration, behavior planning, task and resource allocation, motion planning, optimization, or flight controls
- Experience with collaborative software development tools for version control, issue tracking, code reviews, release management
- Ability to contribute to design, development, and integration of complex software systems as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to learn new technologies in a fast-paced environment
- Willingness to collaborate closely with teammates and support team objectives
- Interest in growing technical skills and, over time, providing guidance to more junior engineers
- Desire to work in a highly collaborative, fast paced, and mission-driven environment
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
- Experience working with systems at one or more technology readiness levels (TRLs)
- Experience with mission systems integration, including integration events, testing, or demonstrations
- Experience in collaborative mission planning, behavior planning, or coordinated teaming
- Experience with motion planning across different vehicle types or constraints
- Experience with sensor/target pairing, control strategies, or related autonomy functions
- Experience with safety systems such as collision avoidance or geofencing
- Experience with robotic software ecosystems (e.g., ROS, OMPL, optimization tools)
- Experience with simulation tools for testing and validation
- Familiarity with navigation and communications systems
- Experience contributing to portions of the product development lifecycle and systems engineering principles
- Familiarity with high-assurance software practices (e.g., DO-178C or similar standards)
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
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.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.