Manager of Engineering - Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5153)

Shield AI
Washington
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 220,000 - 330,000 annuallyFunction: Business Development & PartnershipsExperience: 7+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Leadership","Mentoring","Communication","Teamwork","Problem-solving"]

Lead a small-to-mid engineering team focused on autonomous pilot integration for launched effects platforms. Grow and mentor engineers, drive hiring, and deliver major autonomy capabilities end-to-end—from design to field delivery—while coordinating with Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, and external partners in a fast-paced defense-tech environment.

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FursaFursa
Shield AI
Shield AI
3 months ago

Manager of Engineering - Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5153)

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Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 9 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Lead a small-to-mid engineering team focused on autonomous pilot integration for launched effects platforms. Grow and mentor engineers, drive hiring, and deliver major autonomy capabilities end-to-end—from design to field delivery—while coordinating with Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, and external partners in a fast-paced defense-tech environment.
Location: Washington
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Business Development & Partnerships
Seniority: Manager level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Lead a small-to-mid sized engineering team (typically 3–8 engineers); own performance, growth, leveling, and delivery; run 1:1s, performance reviews, and team rituals.
  • •Drive hiring for your area: identify the skills you need, partner with recruiting, run interviews, set the bar, and personally close strong candidates.
  • •Mentor engineers through hard problems; create stretch opportunities; give direct, actionable technical feedback; help engineers level up in both skill and impact.
  • •Develop & field autonomy — develop & integrate autonomy software solutions onto launched effects platforms, including payload computer bring-up, autopilot integration (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot), multi-agent coordination, and fleet-scale deployment to disconnected or air-gapped environments — and lead a small team through the design, development, and delivery of a major capability or program.
  • •Lead a small feature crew or sub-program; set technical direction, break down work, unblock the team, and report progress to leadership and stakeholders

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 220,000 - 330,000 annually

Key Requirements

  • •BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience
  • •Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 5 years and a Master's degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience
  • •2+ years of direct people-management experience (running 1:1s, performance reviews, hiring decisions, growth planning)
  • •Demonstrated experience building or growing an engineering team — including interviewing, hiring, and onboarding new engineers
  • •Track record of mentoring engineers and growing their technical skill and career trajectory
Experience:7+ yearsDefenseUnmanned systemsAerospace
Education:Bachelor's
Skills:LeadershipMentoringCommunicationTeamworkProblem-solving
Languages:English
Tech Stack:C++LinuxEmbedded systemsShell scriptingDDSQtQGroundControlPythonDockerCI/CD

Company Brief

Shield AI
Develops AI-powered autonomy and software for military aircraft and drones to enable autonomous ISR and combat missions, integrating perception, navigation, and mission planning for defense customers.
Industry: Defense Technology
Company Size: Large (251 to 1,000 employees)
Growth: Scaleup
Funding: Series E+
Headquarters: San Diego, United States
Founded: 2015
WebsiteLinkedIn