Staff Engineer, Autonomy Integration

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 nine offices and facilities across the U.Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , and YouTube .
This position is ideal for an individual who thrives on solving complex integration challenges that span hardware, software, and systems engineering. A successful candidate will be skilled at deploying autonomy solutions onto unmanned platforms, preparing systems for flight, and troubleshooting mission-critical issues in both lab and field environments. Shield AI is committed to developing cutting-edge autonomy for unmanned aircraft operating across all Department of Defense (DoD) domains, including air, sea, and land. Our Flight Integration Engineers are essential to bridging the gap between R&D and deployment, ensuring that autonomous systems function reliably and effectively when and where they are needed most.
System Integration & Deployment — Integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft systems, ensuring seamless operation across onboard compute, sensors, and control interfaces.
Pre-flight Preparation — Own the build, configuration, and validation process for flight-ready systems; coordinate hardware/software compatibility and mission readiness.
On-site Flight Test Support — Travel to test sites and support live flight operations, including safety checks, system bring-up, and troubleshooting Hardware/Software Debugging — Diagnose and resolve integration issues across complex autonomy software stacks and embedded systems in lab and field environments.
Flight Data Capture & Analysis — Manage data collection during missions and post-test analysis, working with autonomy engineers to refine behaviors and identify improvements.
Continuous Improvement — Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines, flight test reliability, and team efficiency across deployment cycles.
Travel Requirement – Members of this team typically travel around 30-40% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and flight integration events).
BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience
Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 9 years and a Master’s degree; or 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python, and familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
Proficiency in Linux-based development and experience working with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics.
Knowledge of sensor integration, sensor fusion, and middleware frameworks (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) for testing and validation.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance.
Our international team members are employed through our Employer of Record (EOR) and receive a comprehensive international benefits package on top of base salary. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.