Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration – Emerging Domains (R5423)
Shield AI · Boston, MA
$163,200–$244,800
Jul 20, 2026
Boston, MA
Jul 22, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A software engineering role focused on bringing autonomy to novel platforms in domains such as space, maritime, and unmanned logistics — areas where no autonomy baseline yet exists. Day-to-day work spans writing mission behaviors and control software in C++, integrating with autopilots and payloads, and validating systems through simulation, hardware testing, and live field exercises. Suits engineers comfortable with ambiguous, early-stage integration work across diverse hardware and software environments.
Senior level · 5+ years · San Diego, CA · Secret clearance · Full-time
Pay in the description: $163,200–$244,800
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
How this req sits in the market our data
Most people in this occupation already list these. Still required — just not what gets you shortlisted.
What the occupation pays Median $166,860 (middle half $131,418–$198,246). This posting is about at that midpoint.
Estimated from BLS employment for this occupation and area, per-skill prevalence across our listing corpus, and published wage benchmarks — as of Jul 28, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (7)
The job title is not explicitly stated in the posting; it is inferred from context as a Software/Autonomy Integration Engineer on the Autonomous Pilot Integration team. The CBSA is inferred as San Diego, CA, where Shield AI is headquartered, as no specific city is named in the posting.
Degree requirement is listed as 'BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience' — the 'or equivalent practical experience' clause means no formal degree is hard-gated.
Clearance is listed as 'Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance' — this is a hard gate on eligibility, not on currently holding one.
Embedded/real-time software systems integration is listed under Required Qualifications as a distinct requirement from C++ and Linux; captured as 'embedded systems' to represent that gate.
Robotics frameworks and autopilot integration appear under Preferred Qualifications alongside autonomous aircraft/maritime/spacecraft experience; the latter is a domain context rather than a named technology and is omitted per guidelines.
The salary range ($163,200–$244,800/year) is explicitly stated and includes bonus, benefits, and equity for full-time regular employees.
Requires a Secret clearance — the cleared population is a small fraction of this occupation, so the real candidate pool is materially smaller than the estimate below, which does not model clearance.
Read the full posting
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