Senior Engineer, Software Integration Engineer (R5462)
Shield AI
Apply to this jobJob Description:
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 that includes 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 while resolving 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 integration challenges and wants to see autonomy capabilities transition from development into operational use.
What you'll do:
- Lead integration of Hivemind autonomy onto expeditionary and expeditionary operations platforms.
- Develop and maintain software interfaces between autonomy, vehicle subsystems, autopilots, payloads, mission computers, and platform services.
- Configure Linux mission-computing environments, middleware, containers, and deployment pipelines.
- Integrate sensors, payloads, radios, tactical networks, ground control stations, and mission systems.
- Develop reusable platform onboarding frameworks, interface adapters, and deployment mechanisms.
- Support SIL, HIL, VIL, and representative integration environments to reduce integration risk before flight.
- Lead debugging 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 drive engineering best practices.
Required qualifications:
- BS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
- 4–7 years of experience in integration and testing of robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or similar complex systems.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python, and familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
- Proficiency in Linux-based development.
- Experience integrating complex software systems with vehicle platforms, mission computing environments, payloads, sensors, and communications systems.
- Experience with sensor integration and middleware framework like ROS.
- Hands-on experience supporting field tests, demonstrations, or operational events.
- Strong systems engineering and troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with flight control systems such as ArduPilot or PX4.
- Experience with unmanned aerial systems (fixed-wing, quadrotor, or both)
- Background in autonomy, robotics, or aerospace systems
- Familiarity with flight controllers, radios, and communications systems
- CI/CD experience
Compensation (from employer):
120000–180000 USD per year
Summary
Lead integration of autonomy software onto operational platforms, develop interfaces, troubleshoot, and support deployments.
Job title
Senior Software Integration Engineer
Experience level
4-7 years
Minimum experience
4+ years exp
Industry
defense-tech
Location requirements
San Diego, California; remote work not specified
Salary
$120k–$180k
Visa sponsorship
H-1B sponsor history
Management role
No
Required skills
Preferred skills
Specializations
Structured locations inferred from the posting.
San Diego, CA, USA