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Shield AI · 10 hours ago

Senior Manager, Software - Perception (R3770)

Boston, MA

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$229K/yr - $344K/yr

9+ years exp

Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. The Senior Manager, Software - Perception will lead teams in developing advanced perception systems for autonomous aircraft, ensuring effective operation in complex environments through robust algorithm design and integration with various sensors.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Autonomous VehiclesDronesMachine LearningNational Security

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Lead teams across autonomy, integration, and testing by aligning technical efforts, resolving cross-functional challenges, and driving mission-focused execution

Design and implement robust algorithms for object detection, classification, and multi-target tracking across diverse sensor modalities

Integrate data from vision systems, radars, and other mission sensors using probabilistic and deterministic fusion techniques to generate accurate situational awareness

Design and refine algorithms for localization and pose estimation using IMU, GPS, vision, and other onboard sensing inputs to enable stable and accurate navigation

Interpret interface control documents (ICDs) and technical specifications for aircraft-mounted sensors to ensure correct data handling, interpretation, and synchronization

Tune and evaluate perception pipelines for performance, robustness, and real-time efficiency in both simulation and real-world environments

Work closely with autonomy, systems, and integration teams to interface perception outputs with planning, behaviors, and decision-making modules

Leverage synthetic data, simulation environments, and field testing to validate algorithm accuracy and mission readiness

Ensure seamless integration of perception algorithms with onboard compute platforms and diverse sensor payloads

Contribute novel ideas and state-of-the-art techniques to advance real-time perception capabilities for unmanned aircraft operating in complex, GPS-denied, or contested environments

Members of this team typically travel around 10-15% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and flight integration events)

Qualification

Algorithm DevelopmentSensor FusionObject DetectionState EstimationUnmanned Systems ExperiencePeople LeadershipMachine Learning FrameworksInterface Control DocumentsVersion ControlDebuggingTest-Driven DevelopmentFlight TestingSensing Challenges

Required

BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience

Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 9 years and a Master's degree; or 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience

7+ years of experience in Unmanned Systems programs in the DoD or applied R&D

2+ years of people leadership experience

Background in implementing algorithms such as Kalman Filters, multi-target tracking, or deep learning-based detection models

Familiarity with fusing data from radar, EO/IR cameras, or other sensors using probabilistic or rule-based approaches

Familiarity with SLAM, visual-inertial odometry, or sensor-fused localization approaches in real-time applications

Ability to interpret and work with Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and hardware integration specs

Proficiency with version control, debugging, and test-driven development in cross-functional teams

Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance