Staff Perception Software Engineer, Sensor Fusion (R2657)

🚀 About Shield AI:

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with a mission to protect service members and civilians using intelligent systems. Their AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown various aircraft, and their products are actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and allies. Shield AI has offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington DC, and internationally.

🎯 The Role:

As a Staff Perception Software Engineer on the HMX Perception team, you'll be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technology for real-world applications. You'll work at the intersection of classical state estimation, sensor fusion, AI, machine learning, and machine perception, building robust and accurate systems for vehicle pose and environmental estimation.

⚙️ What You'll Do:

• Develop high-quality software in C++.
• Create an Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing (A-PNT) system for reliable autonomy in challenging environments.
• Expand and adapt Shield AI's state estimation framework for new sensors, platforms, and missions.
• Write comprehensive test code using simulated and real-world data.
• Collaborate with hardware and testing teams for algorithm validation on aerial platforms.
• Develop data analyzers to generate statistics for code quality validation.
• Enhance sensor models within a high-fidelity simulation environment.
• Work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, improving analysis and benchmarking.

💪 Required Qualifications:

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree; 5 years with a Master's; 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent.
• Proven ability to develop, benchmark, debug, and deploy software algorithms.
• Strong problem-solving skills using a scientific approach.
• Experience integrating and working with sensor payloads in the DoD sector.
• Proficiency in sensor fusion for noisy, high-bandwidth sensors on resource-constrained systems.
• Solid theoretical foundation in state estimation, object detection, data association, probabilistic robotics, and signal processing.
• Experience on projects with 10+ contributors.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills.
• Comfort with Unix environments.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

➕ Preferred Qualifications:

• MS or higher in a relevant field (or equivalent experience).
• Understanding of robotics technologies (task allocation or planning).
• Experience with unmanned systems and related algorithms (air domain).
• Familiarity with high-fidelity simulation and sensor modeling.
• Knowledge of Kalman Filters, Factor Graphs, and other estimation fundamentals.
• Strong Computer Vision skills and experience with OpenCV or similar libraries.
• Experience developing sensor effects (control) algorithms.
• Experience developing or implementing state-of-the-art object detection/recognition pipelines.
• Active SECRET clearance.
• Experience with UCI and OMS Standards.

💰 Compensation:

$157,080 - $235,620 per year