Software Engineer II, Autonomy Behaviors (R5201)

Shield AI · Boston, MA

Softwareonsite$131,921 - $197,881

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

About The Team

The Autonomy Capabilities team at Shield AI has assembled a diverse team of experts in software, robotics, control systems, optimization, and data analysis to create software solutions that greatly evolve the capabilities of our customers. The team is responsible for developing autonomous behaviors within Shield AI’s industry-leading mission autonomy software stack and deploying them across a breadth of platforms, including the Anduril Fury, Northrup Grumman Talon, Shield AI V-Bat, and other first and third-party autonomous vehicles. We work in close coordination with specialist teams in software integration, hardware, and test engineering to solve some of the hardest problems facing our customers.

About the Job:

As an Engineer II, you’ll help build and test the autonomy behaviors that power our unmanned systems, working closely with experienced engineers to bring new capabilities to life. You’ll focus on implementing and validating well-defined features while developing your skills in autonomy, robotics, and large-scale software systems. In this role, you’ll gain exposure to how autonomy software moves from concept to real-world deployment, contributing to systems that operate in complex, high-stakes environments.

What You'll Do:

Implement tactical autonomy software features that enable unmanned platforms to perform complex missions across air, land, sea, and space domains

Develop and test behaviors supporting coordination, target engagement, reconnaissance, and survivability in contested scenarios

Participate in the software development lifecycle, including implementation, testing, debugging, and supporting verification and validation efforts

Collaborate with senior engineers to integrate software components with broader system elements (e.g., sensor processing, communications, and actuation)

Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code following established engineering standards and team practices

Support integration and testing across simulation and real-world environments

Work with cross-functional teams to understand requirements and support successful feature delivery

Continue building expertise in software engineering, autonomy, and robotics systems

Travel up to 20% to support testing, integration, and collaboration with partner teams

Required Qualifications:

BS in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

Experience in production-level C++ software development

2-3 years of experience in one or more of the following: software sub-system scheduling and integration, behavior planning, task and resource allocation, motion planning, optimization, or flight controls

Experience with collaborative software development tools for version control, issue tracking, code reviews, release management

Ability to contribute to the design, development, and integration of complex software systems as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to learn new technologies in a fast-paced environment

Willingness to collaborate closely with teammates and support team objectives

Interest in growing technical skills and, over time, providing guidance to more junior engineers

Desire to work in a highly collaborative, fast paced, and mission-driven environment

Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

Exposure to systems operating at different technology readiness levels (TRLs) through academic, research, or internship experience

Experience in the delivery of a military mission system

Familiarity with mission systems integration concepts, testing, or demonstrations

Experience (academic or project-based) in one or more of the following areas:

Motion planning, behavior planning, or multi-agent coordination

Expose to autonomy, control, or decision-making systems

Safety mechanisms such as collision avoidance or constraint enforcement

Familiarity with robotic software tools (e.g., ROS, OMPL, or similar frameworks)

Experience using simulation environments for development or testing

Basic understanding of navigation and/or communications systems

Awareness of the software or systems development lifecycle

Familiarity with systems engineering fundamentals

Exposure to high-assurance or safety-critical software concepts (e.g., DO-178C or similar)

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

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