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Senior Staff Engineer, Autonomy Capabilities - Space

Shield AI - Washington, DC, United States - In-office - posted 2026-08-05

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Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Engineer to lead autonomy capabilities development for unmanned aircraft systems across Department of Defense domains. This role focuses on solving complex problems in autonomous systems, combining classical control theory, algorithms, and deep reinforcement learning to deliver cutting-edge solutions for air, sea, and land platforms. You will apply advanced autonomous techniques and algorithms to diverse platforms operating in multiple tactical scenarios. The work involves designing and implementing solutions that integrate directly into real-world defense applications with near-term program impact. You'll work across Shield AI's portfolio of products including Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies. As a Staff-level engineer, you will guide technical direction, mentor junior engineers, and drive innovation in autonomous systems. The role requires deep expertise in autonomy algorithms, systems integration, and the ability to translate complex theoretical concepts into production systems. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure solutions meet operational requirements and DoD standards. Shield AI operates globally with facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, supporting active operations worldwide. The company is venture-backed and focused on protecting service members and civilians through intelligent autonomous systems. This is an opportunity to work on mission-critical technology at the forefront of defense innovation.

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