Ground Control Station (GCS) Software Engineer (R3963)

Shieldai; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Software Engineer to develop next-generation Ground Control Station (GCS) applications for unmanned aerial systems. You will bridge responsive interfaces with robust backend systems to enable operators to plan, command, and monitor autonomous assets with precision.

The role emphasizes real-time, performance-sensitive software with modern web Tech such as React, TypeScript, and Node.js, plus exposure to containerized environments like Docker and Kubernetes.

Qualifications

• Experience building real-time or performance-sensitive applications, ideally for UAVs/robotics/simulations.
• Proficiency in strongly typed languages and exposure to lower-level systems or protocol integration.
• Experience with web technologies: React, TypeScript/JavaScript, and Node.js.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize ground control software for low-latency UAV communication.
• Build high-performance client and server applications for telemetry, planning, and real-time control.
• Implement responsive UIs with React and TypeScript for operator workflows and data visualization.
• Collaborate across autonomy, embedded, backend, and UX teams for integrated solutions.
• Contribute to architectural decisions ensuring responsiveness, scalability, and fault tolerance.
• Lead development on key features from design through deployment and iteration.
• Write high-quality, well-tested code and participate in peer reviews.

Skills

Real-time systems

Strongly typed languages

TypeScript

Java

C++

C#

Node.js

REST/ gRPC

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering

Master’s degree in a relevant field

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Job description

Founded in 2015, 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 and V‑BAT and X‑BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia‑Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.

We’re looking for a Software Engineer to join our team developing next‑generation Ground Control Station (GCS) applications for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This role is ideal for engineers with a strong foundation in real‑time, performance‑sensitive software who also bring experience with modern web technologies.

You’ll work on mission‑critical software that bridges responsive user interfaces with robust backend systems, enabling human operators to plan, command, and monitor autonomous assets with precision and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize ground control software that enables low‑latency communication with UAVs and other autonomous platforms.
• Build high‑performance client and server applications that support telemetry processing, mission planning, and real‑time control.
• Implement responsive user interfaces with React and TypeScript for operator workflows and visualization of spatial data, sensor feeds, and mission state.
• Collaborate closely with teams across autonomy, embedded systems, backend, and UX to deliver integrated, field‑ready solutions.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and system designs that ensure responsiveness, scalability, and fault‑tolerance.
• Lead development efforts on key features or subsystems, from early design through deployment and iteration.
• Write high‑quality, well‑tested code and participate in peer design/code reviews.

Qualifications & Experience

• Senior: Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, or Masters with 4+ years, or PhD with 2+ years.
• Staff: Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience, or Masters with 6+ years, or PhD with 4+ years.
• Senior Staff: Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience, or Masters with 9+ years, or PhD with 7+ years.
• Demonstrated experience building real‑time or performance‑sensitive applications—preferably for UAVs, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or simulation environments.
• Proficiency in a strongly typed programming language (e.g., C#, TypeScript, Java, C++) with exposure to lower‑level systems or protocol integration.
• Experience with web technologies, especially React, TypeScript/JavaScript, and Node.js.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals including version control, testing, debugging, and performance profiling.
• Proven ability to deliver high‑quality software as part of a collaborative engineering team.
• Experience with GCS software, mission planning tools, or real‑time visualization platforms.
• Familiarity with API‑driven systems using REST or gRPC, and communication protocols like WebSocket or custom telemetry formats.
• Knowledge of standards such as STANAG 4586, Cursor on Target (CoT), or MAVLink.
• Familiarity with containerized environments (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and CI/CD practices.
• Exposure to distributed systems and cloud integration for telemetry data pipelines.
• Understanding of security best practices in control systems and networked applications.

Benefits

• 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 fellow and part‑time employees are not eligible for benefits.

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.