Senior Software Engineer - Autonomous Pilot Integration - Emerging Domains - R5423

What You'll Do:

Stand Up New Capabilities – Help establish autonomy on new platforms and mission areas by integrating existing Shield AI capabilities with platform-specific software and developing new autonomy where needed. 

Develop & Field Autonomy – Develop and integrate autonomy software onto emerging-domain platforms, including platform and autopilot integration, payload and sensor integration, mission behaviors, multi-agent coordination, and validation through software-, hardware-, vehicle-, and live testing. 

Platform Team Partnerships – Partner closely with platform teams to integrate autonomy capabilities, validate interfaces, coordinate hardware/software compatibility, and support mission readiness. 

Collaboration Across Teams & Partners – Work with the Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS teams, feature crews, and customer/program offices to deliver integrated autonomy solutions. 

Design & Documentation – Contribute to design reviews, ICDs, integration planning, and post-mortems while improving engineering rigor across teams. 

Pre-deployment Preparation – Build, configure, validate, and prepare mission-ready systems while coordinating release readiness with platform and capability teams. 

On-site Test & Mission Support – Support flight tests, maritime trials, ground testing, customer demonstrations, and operational exercises through system bring-up, troubleshooting, and mission execution. 

Hardware/Software Debugging – Diagnose and resolve integration issues across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, and platform interfaces. 

Mission Data & Debrief Support – Capture mission data, reproduce issues in simulation, and partner with capability owners to rapidly improve future releases. 

Continuous Improvement – Develop tools and engineering processes that improve integration velocity, testing reliability, and mission readiness. 

C2 Interoperability & Standards – Implement and validate interfaces with command-and-control systems while supporting program-appropriate interoperability standards. 

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 a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience.  

• Typically requires 5+ years of relevant experience.  

• Strong proficiency in C++ and Linux-based development.  

• Experience integrating embedded or real-time software systems.  

• Experience supporting integration, testing, or operational field events.  

• Strong systems-level problem-solving skills.  

• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with autonomous aircraft, maritime systems, spacecraft, or robotics.  

• Experience with autonomy software, autopilot integration, or robotics frameworks.  

• Python, Docker, or CI/CD experience.  

• Experience working in early-stage R&D or rapid prototyping environments.  

• Experience supporting DoD customers or field demonstrations.