Shield AI · San Diego, California ·
Senior engineer integrates autonomy software (Hivemind) with aircraft, sensors, and mission systems, leading lab and field tests to deploy AI-driven defense platforms.
The Systems & Platform Integration team serves as the engineering bridge between Hivemind autonomy and operational platforms across Shield AI’s Expeditionary and Emerging Operations portfolio. Our mission is to rapidly enable new platform adoption by developing the interfaces, configurations, and integration frameworks required to deploy autonomy capabilities across a diverse portfolio, including XBAT, VBAT, Weapons, Space, Congested Logistics, and Maritime initiatives.
As a Senior Software Integration Engineer, you will lead the integration of Hivemind autonomy onto a diverse portfolio of operational platforms. You will design and implement the software interfaces that connect autonomy with platform control systems, mission computers, payloads, sensors, and communications systems, while solving complex integration challenges across software, hardware, and networking.
You will own integrations throughout their lifecycle—from interface design and implementation, through validation in Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL) environments, to successful demonstrations and operational deployments.
This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex, cross-disciplinary engineering problems and wants to see autonomy capabilities transition from development into real-world operational use.
Lead platform integration of Hivemind autonomy across expeditionary and emerging operations platforms.
Develop and maintain software interfaces between autonomy, vehicle subsystems, autopilots, payloads, mission computers, and platform services.
Configure mission-computing environments, including Linux systems, middleware, containers, and deployment pipelines.
Integrate mission hardware and systems, including sensors, payloads, radios, tactical networks, ground control stations, and mission systems.
Develop reusable integration frameworks, platform adapters, and deployment mechanisms that accelerate onboarding of new platforms.
Support SIL, HIL, VIL, and representative integration environments to reduce integration risk before flight and operational testing.
Lead cross-domain debugging and troubleshooting across hardware, embedded software, networking, and autonomy interfaces.
Support demonstrations, exercises, surrogate operations, and customer events.
Coordinate integration activities across autonomy, systems engineering, flight test, program leadership, and external partners.
Mentor junior engineers and help drive engineering best practices across the team.
BS in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
4–7 years of experience integrating and testing robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or similarly complex systems.
Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python, with familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
Proficiency in Linux-based development and integration environments.
Experience integrating complex software systems with vehicle platforms, mission-computing environments, payloads, sensors, and communications systems.
Experience with sensor integration and middleware frameworks such as ROS.
Hands-on experience supporting field tests, demonstrations, or operational events.
Strong systems engineering, debugging, and troubleshooting skills.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
Experience with flight-control systems such as ArduPilot or PX4.
Experience with unmanned aerial systems, including fixed-wing aircraft, quadrotors, or both.
Background in autonomy, robotics, or aerospace systems.
Familiarity with flight controllers, radios, and communications systems.
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and modern software deployment practices.