{"id":130934,"url":"https://alion.io/job/shield-ai-senior-engineer-autonomy-software-integration-test-r5606","title":"Senior Engineer, Autonomy Software Integration & Test (R5606)","company":{"id":50,"name":"Shield AI","domain":"shield.ai","url":"https://alion.io/company/shield-ai","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Lever","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":61,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.803,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":76,"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Kyiv, Ukraine"],"countries":["UA"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":32000,"max_usd":96000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":6933},"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"ArduPilot","optional":false},{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"MAVLink","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"QGroundControl","optional":false},{"name":"ROS","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-26T14:55:06Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-08-26","last_verified_at":"2026-10-18T07:44:20Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":52,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":52},"description":"Job Description:\nShield 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.\nThis 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.\nThe 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.\nThe 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.\nThis role will primarily support operations in the Kyiv region, with occasional travel to other locations within Ukraine for demonstrations, testing, and operational support activities.\nWhat you'll do:\nDevelop and contribute production-quality software features and capabilities for autonomous systems \nDesign, implement, debug, and maintain software components supporting autonomy, mission execution, system integration, and flight operations \nIntegrate autonomy software onto fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned or autonomous systems \nDevelop internal tools, automation, telemetry analysis pipelines, and test infrastructure in C++ and Python \nSupport software bring-up, system configuration, and mission readiness for flight operations \nDebug and troubleshoot issues across autonomy software, onboard compute, radios, networking, sensors, flight controllers, and mission systems \nSupport simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, ground testing, and live flight test activities \nSupport field demonstrations and operational test events, including pre-flight setup, system validation, troubleshooting, and post-flight analysis \nOperate and troubleshoot Ground Control Stations (GCS) and mission support systems \nCapture, analyze, and review flight and system data to support root cause analysis and system improvements \nWork closely with autonomy, systems, hardware, and flight test teams to rapidly integrate and validate new capabilities \nSupport rapid software iteration and operational testing in dynamic startup and field environments \nContribute to operational documentation, test procedures, integration workflows, and deployment readiness activities \nTravel to test sites and support field operations as required \nRequired qualifications:\nBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience \n3+ years of experience developing and integrating software for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related technical fields \nStrong software engineering experience in C++ and Python, including development, debugging, and system integration \nExperience contributing to complex software systems in robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related domains \nExperience working with Linux-based systems and development environments \nHands-on experience integrating and troubleshooting hardware and software systems \nExperience supporting field testing, flight testing, demonstrations, or operational exercises \nFamiliarity with MAVLink, PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, or related unmanned systems technologies \nExperience debugging distributed or cross-disciplinary systems involving software, networking, sensors, radios, onboard compute, and mission systems \nStrong sense of ownership and ability to operate independently in fast-paced environments \nStrong problem-solving mindset and willingness to work across disciplines \nAbility to travel within Ukraine as required \nPreferred qualifications:\nExperience supporting autonomous aircraft or unmanned systems \nExperience with SIL, HIL, VIL, simulation, or flight test environments \nFamiliarity with ROS, DDS, embedded systems, or real-time systems \nExperience with RF communications, datalinks, and networking systems \nExperience supporting live flight demonstrations or operational deployments \nFamiliarity with flight controllers, avionics systems, and aircraft integration \nExperience building internal tools for testing, automation, telemetry analysis, or operational support \nBackground in defense, robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems \nUkrainian and English language proficiency \nExperience operating in fast-paced and dynamic field environments","description_format":"text","description_chars":5031,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":3,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[{"language":"English","level":"Advanced (C1)","optional":true},{"language":"Ukrainian","level":"Advanced (C1)","optional":true}]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Military Drones","Defense Manufacturing","Defense AI","Drone 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