Engineer II, Software - Ground Control Station - Full Stack - New Grad - 6140

Shield; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 77,000 - 211,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI in the United States is seeking Autonomous Software Engineers (Engineer II) for full-time, in-person roles starting in 2027. You will build and test Hivemind Commander extensions across the UI and backend, delivering mission planning, C2, and debrief workflows with senior guidance.

You will work with Commander platform, UX, autonomy, and test teams to implement endpoints, tests, and document behavior.

Qualifications

• Pursuing Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in CS, Robotics, EE, or related field, graduating 2026–2027.
• 2+ years related experience with Bachelor's, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience building web interfaces with JavaScript/TypeScript and a modern frontend framework, plus backend services or APIs.
• Familiarity with HTTP APIs, asynchronous data flows, and debugging client-server interactions.
• Experience using Git, automated tests, and debugging tools.
• Ability to complete a feature with tests and documentation, communicate risks, and seek guidance on larger design decisions.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Build and test full-stack extensions to Hivemind Commander for mission planning, live C2, and debrief.
• Develop operator workflows for planning and reviewing missions, visualizing telemetry and status.
• Connect extension interfaces to Commander and ground-service APIs using contracts; handle live updates and feedback.
• Implement service endpoints and data flows for mission, command/status, and debrief with reliability and traceability.
• Add frontend, backend, and integration tests with simulated workflows where appropriate.
• Diagnose extension issues across browser behavior, API responses, and logs in test environments.
• Collaborate with platform, UX, autonomy, and test teams to verify requirements and support lab/field tests.
• Document extension behavior, test evidence, interface assumptions, and operator-visible limitations.

Skills

Frontend development

Backend services

HTTP APIs

Testing & debugging

Education

CS/Robotics/EE degree

Tools

Git

Automated tests

React

Node.js

Go

WebSockets

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and 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 .

The Ground Control Station (GCS) Software team extends the Hivemind Commander platform to support mission planning, command and control, and post-mission debrief for operators of unmanned systems. Our full-stack engineers build web-based operator experiences and supporting services that bring program and platform capabilities into Commander.

As an Engineer II, you will build and test Hivemind Commander extensions across the user interface and backend. You will deliver assigned planning, C2, and debrief workflows using established platform patterns and interface contracts, with senior engineers guiding architecture, major interface decisions, and release readiness.

What you'll do:

• Build and test full-stack extensions to Hivemind Commander for mission planning, live C2, and post-mission debrief.
• Develop operator workflows for planning and reviewing missions, visualizing telemetry and platform status, issuing supported commands, and exploring recorded mission data.
• Connect extension interfaces to Commander and ground-service APIs using established contracts; handle live updates, data validation, error states, and operator-visible feedback.
• Implement supporting service endpoints and data flows for mission, command/status, and debrief information, with attention to reliability and traceability of operator actions.
• Add frontend, backend, and integration tests, including representative telemetry playback or simulated operator workflows where appropriate.
• Diagnose extension issues across browser behavior, API responses, service logs, and network connections in representative test environments.
• Collaborate with Commander platform, UX, autonomy, and test teammates to clarify requirements, verify integration points, and support lab or field-test preparation.
• Document extension behavior, test evidence, interface assumptions, and operator-visible limitations.

We are seeking Autonomous Software Engineers for full-time roles starting in 2027! This is a paid, in-person, full-time position for students graduating during the 2026-2027 academic year. We are now reviewing applications for positions starting after graduation in 2027.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, graduating between December 2026 and August 2027.
• Typically 2+ years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent work experience; relevant graduate work or substantial project experience may be considered.
• Experience building web interfaces with JavaScript or TypeScript and a modern frontend framework, and contributing to backend services or APIs in a production, research, or substantial project setting.
• Familiarity with HTTP APIs, asynchronous data flows, and debugging interactions between client and server.
• Experience using Git, automated tests, and debugging tools to deliver a feature across more than one layer of an application.
• Ability to complete an assigned feature with tests and documentation, communicate risks, and seek guidance on larger design or safety decisions.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with React, Node.js, Go, WebSockets, or real-time web applications.
• Experience extending an existing software platform or building maps/GIS, telemetry visualization, mission-planning interfaces, or playback and debrief tools.
• Familiarity with databases, streaming data, containerized services, or networked and distributed systems.
• Exposure to unmanned systems, vehicle-control protocols, or C2 interoperability standards.
• Experience validating operator workflows in simulation, lab, or field-test environments.

$77,200 - $211,200 a year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

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.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.