Job Description

[About Us]

Shift Dynamics Inc. is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge defense technologies, including advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), artificial intelligence (AI) systems, and autonomous flight platforms. We are committed to fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the aerospace and defense sectors. We are seeking exceptionally talented and driven individuals to join our team and contribute to our mission of developing next-generation technologies.

[Position Overview]

We are seeking an experienced Path Planning Engineer to join our Autonomous Flight Systems team. This role focuses on developing advanced motion planning and trajectory generation algorithms for UAVs operating in complex and dynamic environments. You will work at the core of autonomy, enabling intelligent, safe, and efficient decision-making in real time for fixed-wing, multirotor, or hybrid aerial vehicles.

[Responsibilities]

* Design and implement path planning algorithms for obstacle avoidance, optimal routing, and mission-level navigation.

* Develop trajectory generation methods under kinematic, dynamic, and environmental constraints.

* Integrate planning modules with perception, localization, and flight control systems in the autonomy stack.

* Utilize techniques such as A*, RRT*, MPC, graph search, and optimization-based planning.

* Ensure robust planning in both GPS-enabled and GPS-denied environments using fused sensor data.

* Support multi-agent coordination, geofencing, and dynamic re-routing in real-time flight scenarios.

* Conduct simulation-based validation and field testing with actual UAV platforms.

* Document algorithms, system architecture, and tuning parameters for internal and certification use.

[Qualifications]

* Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

* 5+ years of experience developing real-time planning algorithms for autonomous systems.

* Strong knowledge of motion planning, trajectory optimization, control-aware path generation, and flight dynamics.

* Proficiency in Python and C++, with experience using ROS/ROS2 and planning libraries (e.g., OMPL, MoveIt, ACADO, CasADi).

* Understanding of 3D mapping, localization, and perception interfaces for planning integration.

* Experience with simulation environments (Gazebo, AirSim, Isaac Sim) and real-world testing on UAVs.

* Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and documentation skills.

[Preferred Qualifications]

* Experience with PX4 or ArduPilot flight stacks and MAVLink communication.

* Background in real-time trajectory tracking using MPC or guidance laws.

* Knowledge of constrained optimization, nonlinear dynamics, and real-time solvers.

* Familiarity with airspace rules, no-fly zones, and mission-level autonomy constraints.

* Experience in swarm or multi-agent path planning (optional).

[What We Offer]

* Opportunities to work on cutting-edge UAV autonomy systems in real-world applications.

* A collaborative engineering team focused on innovation and practical impact.

* Access to high-performance flight test platforms and advanced simulation tools.

* Competitive salary, full benefits, and support for professional development.

* Involvement in full-stack autonomy from perception and planning to execution.

[Additional Information]

* This position may require eligibility for defense-related or government security clearance.

* Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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