Senior Software Engineer, Autonomy Capabilities – Maritime (R5339)
Shield AI
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The Autonomy Capabilities Team develops functionality to automate single- and multi-agent teams of platforms in pursuit of mission objectives and acts as a central discipline-aligned focal-point for encouraging consistent usage of technical approaches across business portfolios. This team operates at all levels of the command-and-control hierarchy (from advanced control laws, through motion planning, and up to advanced tactical behaviors and multi-agent coordination) and across a multitude of mission sets, platform types, and operational domains (e.g., air, sea, space). The team puts a strong emphasis on both fundamentals (e.g., aircraft kinematics/dynamics, trajectory design, optimization, information fusion, efficient algorithms, etc.) and software integration skillsets (e.g. structures, protocols, threading, interface management, etc.) to bring market-differentiating capabilities to customers that seamlessly operate within their integration contexts.
This position is perfect for an individual who enjoys solving complex problems across a diverse set of programs and integration contexts. An ideal candidate is expected to address operational system needs through a multitude of advanced methodologies that blend traditional control system approaches with advanced optimization. Developed solutions are expected to be integrated into real-world platforms with near-term program impacts and rewards and so balancing theory with practice and rigorous implementation is paramount.
About the Job:
As a Senior Engineer, 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. You’ll also take an active role in mentoring more junior engineers and may directly interface in customers in limited capacities.
What You'll Do:
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Robust Motion Planning – Automate unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and/or unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) maneuvering through advanced motion planning and adherence to safety constraints including keep-out volumes, cooperative and uncooperative vehicles, and depth limitations
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Localization and Tracking – Employ cutting edge approaches for passive and active localization by defining fusion modalities, sensor requirements, and observability-aware maneuvering capabilities to maximize information gleaned from single- or multi-agent sensor networks
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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
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Heterogeneous Multi-Agent Collaboration – Develop distributed optimization and task allocation approaches for heterogenous teaming in order to accomplish mission objectives by maximally utilizing the diverse capabilities of agents to overall team advantage
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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
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Cross-Functional Collaboration – Collaborate with cross-functional teams including perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and operational test to ensure seamless integration of autonomy solutions on real-world platforms
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Deployment & Test Support – Deploy autonomy capabilities to real surface vehicles, supporting integration and demonstration events as well as analysis of mission logs to verify software performance and validate system operational effect
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R&D and Road-mapping – Contribute to autonomy roadmaps by researching and prototyping new algorithms, identifying tactical capability gaps, and proposing novel solutions that advance Shield AI’s mission
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Travel Requirement – Members of this team typically travel around 25% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and flight integration events).
Required Qualifications:
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BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience
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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; or equivalent work experience
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Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python
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Significant background in one or several robotic technology areas related to control systems, motion planning, optimization, tactical behaviors, and/or distributed decision-making
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Significant experience with unmanned system technologies and accompanying algorithms (ideally in the maritime domain specifically)
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Experience with simulation tools and environments (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS, or similar) for testing and validation
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Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance
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Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment
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Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance or higher
Preferred Qualifications:
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Experience in multiple domains (e.g., air, land, sea, space)
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Experience across a breadth of methodologies from classical control through optimization and applied ML/RL
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Background in collaborative behaviors and swarm robotics
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Familiarity with domain-relevant DoD or government programs
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Hands-on experience supporting integration events, customer demos, and/or live exercises
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Experience in applied research and development
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