Senior Staff Software Engineer – Autonomous Pilot Integration (Weapons)

About the role

Shield AI is a venture‑backed defense‑tech company developing autonomy software for small launched platforms. The Senior Staff Software Engineer will define technical direction for the Launched Effects portfolio, driving architecture and delivering scalable, mission‑ready autonomy solutions.

Key responsibilities

• Define the long‑term technical direction for the Launched Effects portfolio and drive common integration patterns.
• Guide development and integration of mission autonomy, platform interfaces, multi‑agent coordination, and fleet‑scale deployment capabilities.
• Lead cross‑functional architecture reviews, interface standards, and post‑mortems to raise engineering rigor.
• Mentor staff and senior engineers, develop future technical leaders, and partner on senior hiring.
• Lead resolution of complex autonomy integration challenges spanning software, embedded systems, networking, and platform interfaces.
• Define technical strategy for command‑and‑control interoperability and shape open‑systems standards (UCI, OMS, MOSA, WOSA, TAK/CoT).
• Guide capability release planning, fleet‑scale deployment strategies, and operational readiness.
• Provide senior technical leadership during critical flight tests, customer demonstrations, and operational exercises.

Required profile

• BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Expert‑level C++ and Linux systems development experience.
• Demonstrated experience defining technical strategy across multiple engineering teams or programs.
• Proven track record influencing architecture and solving highly complex autonomy integration challenges.
• Experience mentoring senior engineers and driving engineering excellence.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Required skills

• C++
• Linux systems development
• Autonomy integration
• Multi‑agent coordination
• Embedded systems
• Networking
• Command‑and‑control standards (UCI, OMS, MOSA, WOSA, TAK/CoT)