a16z Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration – Emerging Domains (R5423)
Summary
Develops and integrates autonomy software for emerging defense platforms like satellites, maritime drones, and unmanned helicopters, using C++ and Linux to enable real-world autonomous missions.
The Autonomous Pilot Integration team for Emerging Domains builds autonomy solutions for new platforms and mission profiles outside Shield AI's established portfolios—including space (satellites, missile defense), maritime (USV and UUV integration), and contested logistics (unmanned helicopters and related autonomous resupply platforms). The team takes on short-term R&D and integration efforts—often standing up the first autonomy on a brand-new platform or mission—with the intent that successful efforts grow into larger, multi-year programs. We combine capabilities from the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team (e.g., ViDAR, ATR), and the HivemindSDK—selectively leveraging existing Shield AI autonomy solutions where they apply—to develop autonomy that runs on these new platforms. Our engineers write new autonomy code—such as mission behaviors, platform-specific control, multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy—and own it end-to-end from software-in-the-loop, to hardware-in-the-loop, to vehicle-in-the-loop, to live test exercise.
In this role, you'll develop and integrate autonomy capabilities across a variety of emerging-domain platforms while helping establish autonomy on systems that often have no existing autonomy baseline. You'll work closely with platform teams, the Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, and GCS teams, feature crews, and customer stakeholders to solve complex integration challenges and deliver mission-ready autonomy software. This is a hands-on role for engineers who enjoy working across diverse platforms, solving ambiguous technical problems, and seeing new capabilities operate in real-world environments.
What You'll Do:
Stand Up New Capabilities – Help establish autonomy on new platforms and mission areas by integrating existing Shield AI capabilities with platform-specific software and developing new autonomy where needed.
Develop & Field Autonomy – Develop and integrate autonomy software onto emerging-domain platforms, including platform and autopilot integration, payload and sensor integration, mission behaviors, multi-agent coordination, and validation through software-, hardware-, vehicle-, and live testing.
Platform Team Partnerships – Partner closely with platform teams to integrate autonomy capabilities, validate interfaces, coordinate hardware/software compatibility, and support mission readiness.
Collaboration Across Teams & Partners – Work with the Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS teams, feature crews, and customer/program offices to deliver integrated autonomy solutions.
Design & Documentation – Contribute to design reviews, ICDs, integration planning, and post-mortems while improving engineering rigor across teams.
Pre-deployment Preparation – Build, configure, validate, and prepare mission-ready systems while coordinating release readiness with platform and capability teams.
On-site Test & Mission Support – Support flight tests, maritime trials, ground testing, customer demonstrations, and operational exercises through system bring-up, troubleshooting, and mission execution.
Hardware/Software Debugging – Diagnose and resolve integration issues across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, and platform interfaces.
Mission Data & Debrief Support – Capture mission data, reproduce issues in simulation, and partner with capability owners to rapidly improve future releases.
Continuous Improvement – Develop tools and engineering processes that improve integration velocity, testing reliability, and mission readiness.
C2 Interoperability & Standards – Implement and validate interfaces with command-and-control systems while supporting program-appropriate interoperability standards.
Travel Requirement – Members of this team typically travel around 10–20% of the year to different office locations, customer sites, operator training events, flight tests, and integration exercises.
Required Qualifications:
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BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience.
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Typically requires 5+ years of relevant experience.
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Strong proficiency in C++ and Linux-based development.
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Experience integrating embedded or real-time software systems.
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Experience supporting integration, testing, or operational field events.
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Strong systems-level problem-solving skills.
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Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Experience with autonomous aircraft, maritime systems, spacecraft, or robotics.
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Experience with autonomy software, autopilot integration, or robotics frameworks.
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Python, Docker, or CI/CD experience.
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Experience working in early-stage R&D or rapid prototyping environments.
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Experience supporting DoD customers or field demonstrations.