Staff Engineer, Autonomy - Tactical Behaviors (R3779) at Shield AI

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Defense, AerospaceIndustries

Requirements

BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience
Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 5 years with a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience
Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python
Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS)
Significant background in robotics technologies related to motion planning, behavior modeling, decision-making, or autonomous systems

Responsibilities

Design tactical autonomy algorithms to enable unmanned aircraft to perform complex missions across air, land, and sea domains with minimal human supervision
Develop high-performance software modules that incorporate planning, decision-making, and behavior execution strategies for dynamic and adversarial environments
Implement and test behavior architectures that enable multi-agent coordination, target engagement, reconnaissance, and survivability in contested scenarios
Work at the intersection of classical autonomy and machine learning, blending rule-based systems with learning-based methods such as reinforcement learning to achieve robust, adaptive behavior
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and flight test to ensure seamless integration of autonomy solutions on real-world platforms
Deploy autonomy capabilities to real platforms and participate in field tests and flight demos, validating performance in operationally relevant conditions
Analyze mission logs and performance data to diagnose failures, optimize behavior models, and inform iterative development
Contribute to the autonomy roadmap by researching and prototyping new algorithms, identifying tactical capability gaps, and proposing novel solutions that advance Shield AI’s mission
Support defense-focused programs and customer needs by adapting autonomy solutions to evolving mission sets, compliance requirements, and operational feedback
Travel around 10-15% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and flight integration events)

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Autonomy AlgorithmsReinforcement LearningPlanning AlgorithmsDecision MakingBehavior ArchitectureMulti-Agent CoordinationHigh-Performance SoftwareUnmanned Aircraft Systems

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What are the main responsibilities of this Staff Engineer role?

You'll design tactical autonomy algorithms for unmanned aircraft, develop high-performance software for planning and decision-making, implement behavior architectures for multi-agent coordination, integrate hybrid autonomy methods, collaborate cross-functionally, deploy to real platforms, analyze mission data, and contribute to R&D roadmapping.

What skills and experience are required for this position?

The role requires expertise in classical autonomous techniques, algorithms, and theory; high-performance software development; behavior architecture implementation; hybrid autonomy integrating rule-based systems with reinforcement learning; and experience with planning, decision-making, and multi-agent coordination in dynamic environments.

Is this position remote or does it require working from an office?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the compensation or salary for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for this Staff Engineer position?

A strong candidate enjoys solving complex problems across diverse domains, can apply classical autonomy techniques to tactical scenarios with near-term impacts, and has experience blending traditional algorithms with deep reinforcement learning for unmanned systems.

Shield AI

Develops AI and autonomous systems for defense

About Shield AI

Shield AI specializes in creating artificial intelligence and autonomous systems specifically for the defense industry. The company develops AI-powered systems, including autonomous drones, that assist military operations, especially in environments where GPS and communication may not be available. This technology allows for safer and more efficient defense operations. Shield AI differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on advanced AI capabilities and securing significant contracts with government and military clients, such as the multi-billion dollar EWAAC contract. The company's goal is to enhance operational capabilities and safety in military contexts, ultimately aiming to protect lives through its innovative solutions.

San Diego, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2015Year Founded

$772.8MTotal Funding

DEBTCompany Stage

AI & Machine Learning, DefenseIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Medical Insurance Coverage

Long Term Disability Insurance

Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA

Employee Assistance Program

Subsidized Gym Membership

Pet Insurance

Competitive Compensation

Retirement Services

Life Insurance

Parental Leave

Bereavement Support

Flexible Work Hours

PTO

Paid Holidays

Commuter Benefits

Relaxed Dress Code

Yearly Swag Items

Unlimited Snacks

Bottomless Beverages

Annual Celebrations

Work From Home Benefits

Standing Desks and Widescreen Monitors

Risks

Increased competition from companies like Waymo could divert investment from Shield AI.

Geopolitical tensions may challenge the JSW Defence partnership for V-BAT production in India.

Dependency on Palantir's infrastructure may limit Shield AI's operational flexibility.

Differentiation

Shield AI's Hivemind is the first autonomous AI pilot deployed in combat since 2018.

Strategic partnerships with Palantir and JSW Defence enhance technological capabilities and market reach.

Shield AI's V-BAT drone is selected for a $198 million U.S. Coast Guard contract.

Upsides

Increased demand for autonomous systems in defense boosts Shield AI's market potential.

Successful multi-aircraft autonomous flight tests showcase advanced AI piloting capabilities.

Significant investment in robotics indicates a robust market for Shield AI's offerings.

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