Entry-Level Autonomy Software Perception Engineer

Shield AI; 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 Washington, DC area is seeking an entry-level Autonomous Software Engineer to contribute to perception software with C++ and Python alongside experienced engineers. This full-time, in-person position targets students graduating in 2026–2027 academic year.

You will work on sensor data processing, testing, and documentation, with guidance and code reviews as you grow. Collaboration across perception, autonomy, platform, simulation, and test teams is essential.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Foundational C++ or Python programming demonstrated through coursework, projects, research, internships, or work experience.
• Coursework or project exposure to computer vision, machine learning, robotics, estimation, sensor fusion, or related work.
• Familiarity with Linux, Git, debugging, and basic software-development or data-analysis workflows.
• Ability to communicate findings, ask questions, and improve work through feedback.
• Must be able to work in-person full-time.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Implement small, well-defined C++ changes to perception software, data processing, evaluation tools, or tests.
• Help analyze camera, EO/IR, radar, IMU, GPS, or simulated sensor data using established workflows.
• Run tests and repeatable experiments; investigate data-quality and software failures with guidance.
• Support object detection, tracking, sensor fusion, localization, or multimodal AI/ML evaluation as assigned.
• Document assumptions, metrics, results, and reproducible setup steps; participate in code and design reviews.
• Collaborate with perception, autonomy, platform, simulation, and test engineers.

Skills

C++ programming

Python programming

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in CS/Robotics/EE/Aerospace

Tools

OpenCV

PyTorch

ROS

Git

Linux

Job description

Shield AI in Washington, DC area is seeking an entry-level Autonomous Software Engineer to contribute to perception software with C++ and Python alongside experienced engineers. This full-time, in-person position targets students graduating in 2026–2027 academic year.

You will work on sensor data processing, testing, and documentation, with guidance and code reviews as you grow. Collaboration across perception, autonomy, platform, simulation, and test teams is essential.