a16z Senior Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration – Weapons (R5398)
Summary
Leads the architecture and integration of autonomy software for small, launched-effect platforms used in defense operations, combining C++/Linux systems with multi-agent coordination and hardware-in-the-loop validation.
The Autonomous Pilot Integration team for launched effects builds autonomy solutions for small, often air- or ground-launched platforms that operate in multi-agent fleets and frequently in disconnected or air-gapped environments. We combine capabilities from the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team (e.g., track fusion), and the HivemindSDK to develop the autonomy software that runs on launched effects platforms, then integrate, validate, and field it on the real hardware—for U.S. and international defense customers. 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 define the technical direction for the Launched Effects portfolio, driving the evolution of autonomy architecture across multiple programs while ensuring scalable, mission-ready solutions for fleet-scale operations. You'll solve the organization's most complex integration challenges, influence long-term technical strategy, and partner with engineering leadership, the Autonomy Capabilities and Perception teams, autopilot vendors, C2 providers, and customer stakeholders to deliver autonomy capabilities that perform reliably in operational environments.
What You'll Do:
Technical Strategy & Portfolio Leadership – Define the long-term technical direction for the Launched Effects portfolio; drive common integration patterns, architecture, and engineering strategy that enable scalable fleet operations across current and future programs.
Develop & Field Autonomy – Guide the development and integration of mission autonomy, platform interfaces, executive autonomy, multi-agent coordination, and fleet-scale deployment capabilities while ensuring successful operational delivery across launched effects programs.
Collaboration Across Teams & Partners – Build strong technical partnerships across the Autonomy Capabilities team, Perception team, feature crews, autopilot vendors, C2 providers, customer organizations, and engineering leadership; influence architecture and technical direction beyond the portfolio.
Design & Documentation – Lead cross-functional architecture reviews, interface standards, ICDs, and post-mortems while raising engineering rigor and technical consistency across multiple organizations.
Mentorship & Organizational Growth – Mentor Staff and Senior engineers, develop future technical leaders, contribute to engineering standards and leveling, and partner with managers on senior hiring.
Pre-deployment Preparation – Guide Capability Release planning, fleet-scale deployment strategies, mission validation, and operational readiness across multiple programs.
On-site Test & Mission Support – Provide senior technical leadership during critical flight tests, customer demonstrations, and operational exercises where deep systems integration expertise is required.
Hardware/Software Debugging – Lead resolution of the organization's most complex autonomy integration challenges spanning software, embedded systems, networking, platform interfaces, and operational environments.
Mission Data & Debrief Support – Drive post-mission analysis, identify systemic improvements, and influence long-term technical investments based on operational learnings.
Continuous Improvement – Drive organization-wide improvements to engineering processes, testing infrastructure, integration workflows, developer experience, and mission reliability.
C2 Interoperability & Standards – Define technical strategy for command-and-control interoperability; shape interface evolution with internal and external stakeholders while driving adoption of common message and open-systems standards (e.g., UCI, OMS, MOSA, WOSA, TAK/CoT).
Hiring & Developing Technical Talent – Define the technical hiring bar for senior engineering roles, partner with engineering managers on long-term staffing strategy, and help grow the organization's technical capabilities.
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 10+ years of relevant experience.
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Expert-level C++ and Linux systems development experience.
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Demonstrated experience defining technical strategy across multiple engineering teams or programs.
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Proven track record influencing architecture and solving highly complex autonomy integration challenges.
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Experience mentoring senior engineers and driving engineering excellence across an organization.
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Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Extensive experience with launched effects, autonomous systems, or distributed robotic platforms.
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Experience defining autopilot integration strategies and multi-agent autonomy architectures.
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Experience leading fleet-scale or disconnected operational deployments.
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Experience with military operational testing and international defense customers.
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Experience with UCI, OMS, MOSA, WOSA, TAK/CoT, or similar open architectures.
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Experience shaping engineering practices across multiple teams or organizations.