Shield AI is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join the Autonomy Capabilities Team, focusing on maritime portfolio. You will create autonomy capabilities for USVs, UUVs, and cooperating UAVs that enable them to perform advanced single- and multi-agent teaming missions.
The ideal candidate will address operational system needs through advanced methodologies that blend traditional control system approaches with advanced optimization. You will develop and own major features from end-to-end, from design through operational deployment, and work closely with cross-functional teammates to achieve program goals.
Key responsibilities:
- Robust Motion Planning: Automate unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and/or unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) maneuvering through advanced motion planning and adherence to safety constraints.
- Localization and Tracking: Employ cutting-edge approaches for passive and active localization by defining fusion modalities, sensor requirements, and observability-aware maneuvering capabilities.
- Safe Maritime Operations: Keep vehicle safety as a central focus within autonomous behavior architectures to provide run-time assurance, ensure COLREGS adherence, and build operator trust in advanced mission autonomy.
- Heterogeneous Multi-Agent Collaboration: Develop distributed optimization and task allocation approaches for heterogeneous teaming.
- Rigorous Software Development: Develop high-performance software modules that are well-tested, have clear interfaces and span-of-control, and are ready for mid-to-high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) insertions.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams including perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and operational test.
- Deployment & Test Support: Deploy autonomy capabilities to real surface vehicles, supporting integration and demonstration events.
- R&D and Road-mapping: Contribute to autonomy roadmaps by researching and prototyping new algorithms, identifying tactical capability gaps, and proposing novel solutions.
Requirements:
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree.
- 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.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python.
- Significant background in one or several robotic technology areas related to control systems, motion planning, optimization, tactical behaviors, and/or distributed decision-making.
- Significant experience with unmanned system technologies and accompanying algorithms.
- Experience with simulation tools and environments.
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance or higher.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in multiple domains.
- Experience across a breadth of methodologies from classical control through optimization and applied ML/RL.
- Background in collaborative behaviors and swarm robotics.
- Familiarity with domain-relevant DoD or government programs.
- Hands-on experience supporting integration events, customer demos, and/or live exercises.
- Experience in applied research and development.
