Senior Staff Engineer (Autonomy Software Integration & Test)

• Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. We are seeking an Autonomy Software Integration & Test Engineer to support development, integration, testing, and deployment of autonomous systems in Ukraine
• The position combines autonomy software development, system integration, and real-world flight testing across unmanned and autonomous platforms
• This role will primarily support operations in the Lviv region, with occasional travel to other locations within Ukraine for demonstrations, testing, and operational support activities
• Develop and contribute production-quality software features and capabilities for autonomous systems
• Design, implement, debug, and maintain software components supporting autonomy, mission execution, system integration, and flight operations
• Integrate autonomy software onto fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned or autonomous systems
• Develop internal tools, automation, telemetry analysis pipelines, and test infrastructure in C++ and Python
• Support software bring-up, system configuration, and mission readiness for flight operations
• Debug and troubleshoot issues across autonomy software, onboard compute, radios, networking, sensors, flight controllers, and mission systems
• Support simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, ground testing, and live flight test activities
• Support field demonstrations and operational test events, including pre-flight setup, system validation, troubleshooting, and post-flight analysis
• Operate and troubleshoot Ground Control Stations (GCS) and mission support systems
• Capture, analyze, and review flight and system data to support root cause analysis and system improvements
• Work closely with autonomy, systems, hardware, and flight test teams to rapidly integrate and validate new capabilities
• Support rapid software iteration and operational testing in dynamic startup and field environments
• Contribute to operational documentation, test procedures, integration workflows, and deployment readiness activities
• Travel to test sites and support field operations as required

Benefits

• Excellent Medical Coverage
• Mental Health Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Flexible Work Hours
• Onsite Gym (DC)
• Gym Discount (San Diego)
• Free Parking
• Competitive Compensation
• Stock Benefits
• 401K Services and Match- This role is ideal for a hands-on engineer who enjoys working across software, hardware, aircraft systems, and flight operations in fast-paced field environments
• The ideal candidate is comfortable writing and debugging software, integrating autonomy systems onto fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned or autonomous systems, troubleshooting issues in both lab and field environments, and supporting live flight operations under evolving operational conditions
• This role requires an engineer who can move fluidly between software development, aircraft integration, flight testing, demonstrations, and operational troubleshooting in a rapidly growing startup environment
• The ideal candidate demonstrates strong ownership, a bias toward action, and the ability to solve complex problems across software, hardware, and flight operations in rapidly evolving environments
• Familiarity with MAVLink, PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, or related unmanned systems technologies
• Experience debugging distributed or cross-disciplinary systems involving software, networking, sensors, radios, onboard compute, and mission systems
• Strong software engineering experience in C++ and Python, including development, debugging, and system integration
• Ability to travel within Ukraine as required
• Experience supporting field testing, flight testing, demonstrations, or operational exercises
• 3+ years of experience developing and integrating software for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related technical fields
• Experience working with Linux-based systems and development environments
• Strong sense of ownership and ability to operate independently in fast-paced environments
• Experience contributing to complex software systems in robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or related domains
• Hands-on experience integrating and troubleshooting hardware and software systems
• Strong problem-solving mindset and willingness to work across disciplines
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Experience supporting autonomous aircraft or unmanned systems
• Experience with SIL, HIL, VIL, simulation, or flight test environments
• Familiarity with ROS, DDS, embedded systems, or real-time systems
• Experience with RF communications, datalinks, and networking systems
• Familiarity with flight controllers, avionics systems, and aircraft integration
• Experience supporting live flight demonstrations or operational deployments
• Experience building internal tools for testing, automation, telemetry analysis, or operational support
• Background in defense, robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems
• Ukrainian and English language proficiency
• Experience operating in fast-paced and dynamic field environments