HOME Robotics & Industrial Automation Staff Software Engineer, Autonomy - Behavior and Motion Planning (R6007)
  • Shieldai
  • San Diego, CA
  • Full-Time
  • <48 Hours
Shieldai VERIFIED EMPLOYER

Staff Software Engineer, Autonomy - Behavior and Motion Planning (R6007).

Robotics & Industrial Automation Full-Time

Staff Software Engineer, Autonomy - Behavior and Motion Planning (R6007): our view in 3 lines...

  • The Role:This role is for a staff-level software engineer building autonomy software for behavior and motion planning in robotics and autonomous systems.
  • The Person:The person will research and implement autonomous trajectory planning and control algorithms, build and test software in simulation and on hardware, diagnose complex failures, and mentor junior engineers.
  • Requirements:The ideal candidate has a master’s degree in computer science, robotics, or a related field, or a PhD, plus experience with modern C++, Python, Linux, CI/CD, and debugging concurrency issues.

About the role

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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. 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 LinkedInXInstagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:

The Pilot team develops the algorithms and production software that enable intelligent systems to decide what to do and how to do it in uncertain, dynamic environments. Our work spans mission and task planning, motion planning, effects and action planning, and learned planning approaches. Depending on the team, you may work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, optimization, and real-time autonomous systems. 

As a member of Behavior and Motion planning team, you will leverage your expertise in robotics to develop, deploy, and optimize path planning algorithms for autonomous systems that operate in complex, real-world environments. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust, scalable solutions that advance the state of Hivemind SDK. You will also contribute to developing technical requirements, test plans, and validating the performance of algorithms. 

We are hiring software engineers across multiple experience levels. The scope of the role will be calibrated to the candidate's experience, from implementing and validating well-defined planning components to owning major technical capabilities, shaping architecture and roadmaps, and mentoring other engineers.

#LI-KC3
#LD
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.
 
###
 
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. 
Published September 16, 2026
Location San Diego, CA
Job Type Full-Time