Shield AI

Senior Engineer, Software Integration Engineer (R5462)

Shield AI$120K — $180K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
  • 4-7 years of experience in integration and testing of robotics or similar complex systems.
  • Proficient in C++ and Python, familiar with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
  • Experienced in Linux-based development and complex software integration.
  • Hands-on experience with field tests and operational events.
  • Strong troubleshooting and systems engineering skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Lead integration of Hivemind autonomy onto various operational platforms.
  • Develop and maintain software interfaces connecting autonomy with vehicle subsystems.
  • Configure Linux mission-computing environments and deployment pipelines.
  • Integrate sensors, payloads, and communications systems across platforms.
  • Develop reusable onboarding frameworks and interface adapters.
  • Support integration environments to mitigate risks before flight.
  • Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering best practices.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
  • Bonus and equity components in compensation package.
  • Opportunities for professional development and mentorship.
  • Support for field tests and operational events.
  • Collaborative work environment with cross-disciplinary teams.
Full Job Description
Job Description:

The Systems & Platform Integration team serves as the engineering bridge between Hivemind autonomy and operational platforms across Shield AI's Expeditionary and Emerging Operations portfolio. Our mission is to rapidly enable new platform adoption by developing the interfaces, configurations, and integration frameworks required to deploy autonomy capabilities across a diverse portfolio that includes XBAT, VBAT, Weapons, Space, Congested Logistics, and Maritime initiatives.

As a Senior Software Integration Engineer, you will lead the integration of Hivemind autonomy onto a diverse portfolio of operational platforms. You will design and implement the software interfaces that connect autonomy with platform control systems, mission computers, payloads, sensors, and communications while resolving complex integration challenges across software, hardware, and networking.

You will own integrations throughout their lifecycle-from interface design and implementation through validation in Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL) environments to successful demonstrations and operational deployments. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex cross-disciplinary integration challenges and wants to see autonomy capabilities transition from development into operational use.

What you'll do:

  • Lead integration of Hivemind autonomy onto expeditionary and expeditionary operations platforms.
  • Develop and maintain software interfaces between autonomy, vehicle subsystems, autopilots, payloads, mission computers, and platform services.
  • Configure Linux mission-computing environments, middleware, containers, and deployment pipelines.
  • Integrate sensors, payloads, radios, tactical networks, ground control stations, and mission systems.
  • Develop reusable platform onboarding frameworks, interface adapters, and deployment mechanisms.
  • Support SIL, HIL, VIL, and representative integration environments to reduce integration risk before flight.
  • Lead debugging across hardware, embedded software, networking, and autonomy interfaces.
  • Support demonstrations, exercises, surrogate operations, and customer events.
  • Coordinate integration activities across autonomy, systems engineering, flight test, program leadership, and external partners.
  • Mentor junior engineers and drive engineering best practices.


Required qualifications:

  • BS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
  • 4-7 years of experience in integration and testing of robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or similar complex systems.
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python, and familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
  • Proficiency in Linux-based development.
  • Experience integrating complex software systems with vehicle platforms, mission computing environments, payloads, sensors, and communications systems.
  • Experience with sensor integration and middleware framework like ROS.
  • Hands-on experience supporting field tests, demonstrations, or operational events.
  • Strong systems engineering and troubleshooting skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.


Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience with flight control systems such as ArduPilot or PX4.
  • Experience with unmanned aerial systems (fixed-wing, quadrotor, or both)
  • Background in autonomy, robotics, or aerospace systems
  • Familiarity with flight controllers, radios, and communications systems
  • CI/CD experience


$120,000 - $180,000 a year

#LI-LD1

#LC

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

About Shield AI

Shield AI is a defense technology company that develops artificially intelligent systems for military applications. The company was founded in 2015 by Brandon Tseng, Ryan Tseng, and Andrew Reiter, and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Shield AI's products include autonomous drones and software that can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and other military operations. The company's mission is to reduce the number of military casualties by providing soldiers with better intelligence and situational awareness. Shield AI has received funding from a number of investors, including Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund.
Learn more about Shield AI
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2015

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