# Senior Staff Engineer, Software - Autonomous Aircraft Integration (R4983) at Shield AI

Shield AI is hiring a Senior Staff Engineer, Software - Autonomous Aircraft Integration (R4983) in Washington DC, United States. It pays $221k-$331k a year and Level rates it Little AI ●○○○; you can [apply on Shield AI](https://jobsbylevel.com/go/3ed22099-9630-4870-bcab-b2b36875b2d5?utm_medium=ai-agent).

AI Level 1, AI centrality 28 out of 100. Washington, D.C..

## Details

- Company: [Shield AI](https://jobsbylevel.com/companies/shield-ai)
- AI level: AI Level 1 (score 28 out of 100)
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Salary: $221k-$331k
- Posted: August 15, 2025
- Apply: https://jobsbylevel.com/go/3ed22099-9630-4870-bcab-b2b36875b2d5?utm_medium=ai-agent
- Free CV review for this job: https://jobsbylevel.com/cv-review?job=senior-staff-engineer-software-autonomous-aircraft-integration-r4983-at-shield-ai-80e35f

## Description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai . 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. The role is highly dynamic, requiring hands-on experience, strong systems thinking, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, real-world test conditions. 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. What you'll do: 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 under time-critical constraints. 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. Collaboration Across Teams — Work closely with autonomy, GNC, systems, and test teams to ensure mission-critical functionality is delivered on time and validated thoroughly. Continuous Improvement — Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines, flight test reliability, and team efficiency across deployment cycles. Support Certification and Compliance — Assist with documentation and system-level validation required for certification, airworthiness, and compliance in defense-relevant environments. Travel Requirement – Members of this team typically travel around 30-40% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and flight integration events). Required Qualifications: 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., ROS, DDS). Hands-on experience supporting flight demos or live exercises. Experience with simulation tools and environments (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) for testing and validation. Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance. Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to

The description is cut here. Read the full offer: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/senior-staff-engineer-software-autonomous-aircraft-integration-r4983-at-shield-ai-80e35f

Source: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/senior-staff-engineer-software-autonomous-aircraft-integration-r4983-at-shield-ai-80e35f

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