{"id":185971,"url":"https://alion.io/job/shield-ai-staff-software-engineer-autonomous-pilot-integration-r5395","title":"Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5395)","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":73,"open_postings":83,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.867,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":65,"computed_at":"2026-10-28T05:59:10Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"staff","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["San Mateo, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":234240,"max":351360,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":351360},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":7,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"AI Agents","optional":false},{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"K3s","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"Motion Planning","optional":false},{"name":"AFSIM","optional":true},{"name":"ArduPilot","optional":true},{"name":"CI/CD","optional":true},{"name":"CMake","optional":true},{"name":"Conan","optional":true},{"name":"Docker","optional":true},{"name":"Kubernetes","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-01T15:36:24Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-01","last_verified_at":"2026-10-28T15:14:34Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":57,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":57},"description":"The Autonomous Pilot Integration team builds autonomy solutions for a wide range of CONOPs and mission sets. We combine capabilities from the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team (e.g., track fusion), and the HivemindSDK to develop the autonomy software that runs on an unmanned platform - air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables, depending on the program - then integrate, validate, and field it on the real hardware. In this role, you'll write new autonomy code - such as mission behaviors, platform-specific control, multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy - and own it end-to-end from software-in-the-loop, to hardware-in-the-loop, to vehicle-in-the-loop, to live test exercise. You'll partner closely with the Autonomy Capabilities and Perception teams, feature crews, and external platform integrators (vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers). It's a hands-on role for engineers who like seeing their code operate in the real world - whether that's flying, sailing, orbiting, or downrange - and want to be there when it does.\nAt this level, you'll also serve as a technical leader within the team - leading a small feature crew or sub-program through design, integration, and delivery, mentoring mid-level engineers, and representing the team directly to capability teams and external partners.\nShield AI is committed to developing cutting-edge autonomy for unmanned platforms across every operating domain - air, maritime, space, and effects/expendables - in service of the U.S. Department of Defense and our international defense customers. Our Autonomous Pilot Integration engineers bridge the gap between R&D and deployment, ensuring autonomous systems function reliably and effectively wherever and whenever they're needed most.\nWhat You'll Do:\nDevelop & 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 - and lead a small team through the design, development, and delivery of a major capability or sub-program.\n\nTechnical Leadership - Lead a small feature crew or sub-program; set technical direction, break down work, unblock the team, and report progress to leadership and stakeholders.\n\nCollaboration Across Teams - Act as a primary technical interface with the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team, feature crews, and external partners (platform integrators, vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers); author and negotiate ICDs and interface contracts rather than just consume them\n\nMentorship & Growth - Mentor mid-level engineers on the team; partner with managers on onboarding, leveling, and growth planning. Formally onboard senior new hires.\n\nDesign & Documentation - Drive design reviews, ICDs, and post-mortems for your area; push the team toward higher rigor and close process gaps that span teams.\n\nPre-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.\n\nOn-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.\n\nHardware/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.\n\nMission 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.\n\nContinuous Improvement - Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines, test/mission reliability, and team efficiency across deployment cycles.\n\nC2 Interoperability & Standards - Own the interface contracts with C2 providers and drive standards compliance for your area, including implementation and validation against command-and-control standards (e.g., A-GRA, UCI, OMS).\n\nHiring - Interview candidates, help define the skills bar for open roles in your area, and onboard new engineers into your sub-program.\n\nTravel Requirement - Members of this team typically travel around 10-20% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and integration/test events).\n\nRequired Qualifications:\nBS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience\n\nTypically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 5 years and a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.\n\nProficiency in C++, with experience developing or integrating real-time or latency-sensitive systems.\n\nProficiency in Linux-based development and experience working with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics.\n\nFamiliarity with middleware, pub-sub, or IPC frameworks used in autonomy or robotics systems (e.g., DDS, message buses).\n\nHands-on experience supporting demos, exercises, or field/mission tests for unmanned or autonomous systems.\n\nExperience with autonomy simulation environments for testing and validation.\n\nDemonstrated experience leading a small technical team or owning a major capability from design through field delivery.\n\nTrack record of mentoring engineers and growing technical talent.\n\nExperience authoring or negotiating interface contracts / ICDs with internal or external stakeholders.\n\nStrong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance across the full stack.\n\nExcellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.\n\nAbility to obtain a SECRET clearance.\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\nDirect experience supporting unmanned systems (air, maritime, space, ground, or effects/expendables) or similar field test campaigns.\n\nProficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and analysis.\n\nExperience leading a feature crew, sub-program, or small team in an unmanned systems context.\n\nExperience owning customer- or partner-facing technical relationships (e.g., autopilot vendors, C2 providers, government program offices).\n\nTrack record of cross-team improvements (process, rigor, documentation, or developer experience).\n\nFamiliarity with autonomy stacks, motion planning, or vehicle-control integration.\n\nCompetence in vehicle electronics bring-up (avionics, spacecraft buses, or vessel control), payload computer integration, or hardware-in-the-loop debugging.\n\nExperience with container orchestration (e.g., k3s, k3d, Docker) on embedded or payload compute.\n\nFamiliarity with platform control / autopilot stacks (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot, spacecraft flight software, vessel autopilots).\n\nProficiency in developing automation tools for system testing, logging, and data parsing.\n\nBuild-system experience (e.g., Conan, CMake) and CI/CD pipeline familiarity.\n\nComfortable interfacing with DoD stakeholders during field events or technical reviews.\n\nExperience with C2 standards such as A-GRA, UCI, or OMS.\n\nFamiliarity with government-furnished simulation environments (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) is a 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