Staff Engineer, Guidance & Controls (R4763)

Dallas, Texas, United StatesOnsiteFull TimeStaff$180,000–$280,000 /yrPosted 2 months agoVisa sponsorship availableHidden Gem · VC-Backed

Is this role right for you?

Upload your resume and get a skill-by-skill breakdown — see exactly where you match, where you're close, and what to highlight. Not a mystery percentage.

Get a tailored resume highlighting what this role needs.

Role summary

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Engineer, Guidance & Controls to join its Software Autonomy team. This role involves full lifecycle development of control and autonomy algorithms for the V-BAT aircraft codebase, including algorithm development, software design, coding, testing, qualification, and flight test support. The engineer will also update and validate simulation models. The position requires a proven track record of shipping products in a fast-paced environment, strong problem-solving and analytical skills, and experience with control systems, particularly in unmanned aerial systems or robotics, including path planning and software integration. Preferred qualifications include familiarity with CI/CD, TDD, strong C++ and Python skills, and specific controls knowledge like linear system analysis, gain/phase margin analysis, time response, and filter development (first order, Kalman, bandpass).

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Job Description: As a member of the Software Autonomy team, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining all of control and autonomy algorithms within the VBAT code base. This is a full lifecycle development opportunity with algorithm development, software design and coding, unit tests, component tests, flight software qualification and flight test support. You will also be responsible for helping update and validate the simulation models as required.

Required qualifications:

Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 2 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD.

Proven track record of successfully shipping products, showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles, overcome obstacles, and deliver high-quality solutions to meet project deadlines and exceed expectations in a fast-paced environment..

Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with a focus on delivering user-centric software solutions.

Experience working with control systems, specifically unmanned aerial systems and/or robotics to include

Outer loop path planning / trajectory synthesis

Integrating software in a hierarchical environment

Preferred qualifications:

Familiarity with continuous integration / delivery and test-driven development

Strong C++ and Python coding experience

Simulation model development, verification and validation

Controls knowledge with experience in

Linear system analysis

Gain/Phase margin analysis

Time response

Filter development and verification / validation

First order filters

Kalman filters

Bandpass filters

Ready to apply?

You'll be redirected to Shield AI's application page.