Engineering Manager - Networking & OS for Autonomous UAS

Shield; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking an Engineering Manager (Networking & OS) for the V-BAT program. You will lead a team that designs, implements, and optimizes network infrastructure for a UAS operating in challenging environments, including GNSS-denied spaces.

The role splits 50/50 between management and hands-on technical contributions, emphasizing reliable, production-grade networking in Linux. You will collaborate with software, hardware, operators, and program stakeholders to ensure end-to-end

Qualifications

• 8+ years developing network or operating-system software for complex, safety-critical or mission-critical systems.
• 3+ years leading software engineering teams, including planning, execution, coaching, and performance management.
• BS or MS in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, explaining complex technical concepts and building alignment across disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate competing priorities and resolve technical tradeoffs with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong proficiency developing production-grade software in C, C++, or Python within Linux environments.
• Track record of shipping software that interacts directly with the Linux OS networking stack.
• Deep understanding of Linux networking and Layer 2 / Layer 3 fundamentals, including routing and VLANs.
• Experience with netlink, iptables/nftables, TUN/TAP interfaces, network namespaces, socket programming, and VPN/tunneling mechanisms.
• Proven ability to lead reliable software delivery through development, integration, and deployment.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting network degradation in lossy, high-latency, or bandwidth-constrained environments.
• Proficiency using network diagnostic tools such as tcpdump, Wireshark, iproute2, and iperf.
• Ability to obtain security clearance

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of high-performing networking & OS engineers, owning planning, prioritization, execution, coaching, and performance management; provide clear upward status updates on progress, risks, dependencies, and delivery commitments
• Work backward from operator capabilities to deliver bandwidth-optimized, low-latency communication over lossy or constrained radio and satellite links, leveraging traffic management, device isolation, and multi-link failover
• Develop resilient Layer 2 / Layer 3 network topologies and embedded Linux networking capabilities, including custom routing, TUN/TAP interfaces, user-space tunnels, and socket-level applications
• Partner closely with software engineers, hardware engineers, field operators, and program stakeholders to align priorities, resolve technical tradeoffs, and validate end-to-end performance in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) labs and flight test environments
• Establish and uphold engineering standards for code quality, testing, reliability, and delivery; communicate technical decisions clearly and balance near-term execution with long-term architecture and team development

Skills

Networking software

Team leadership

Communication

Tradeoffs

C/C++/Python

Linux networking

Linux networking fundamentals

Netlink/iptables/TUN

Software delivery

Troubleshooting networks

Network tools

Security clearance

Education

BS or MS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical, Robotics or related field

Tools

C/C++/Python

Job description

Shield AI is seeking an Engineering Manager (Networking & OS) for the V-BAT program. You will lead a team that designs, implements, and optimizes network infrastructure for a UAS operating in challenging environments, including GNSS-denied spaces.

The role splits 50/50 between management and hands-on technical contributions, emphasizing reliable, production-grade networking in Linux. You will collaborate with software, hardware, operators, and program stakeholders to ensure end-to-end