Senior Software Engineer, Software Integration (R5462)

Shield; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in San Diego is seeking a Senior Software Integration Engineer to lead integration of Hivemind autonomy onto operational platforms. You will design interfaces with vehicle subsystems, mission computers, sensors, and communications, ensuring smooth SIL/HIL/VIL validation and real-world demonstrations.

The role emphasizes cross-domain problem solving, enduring collaboration with systems engineering, flight test, and external partners, and mentorship of junior engineers.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead platform integration of Hivemind autonomy across expeditionary and emerging operations platforms.
• Develop and maintain software interfaces between autonomy, vehicle subsystems, autopilots, payloads, mission computers, and platform services.
• Configure mission-computing environments, including Linux systems, middleware, containers, and deployment pipelines.
• Integrate mission hardware and systems, including sensors, payloads, radios, tactical networks, ground control stations, and mission systems.
• Develop reusable integration frameworks, platform adapters, and deployment mechanisms that accelerate onboarding of new platforms.
• Support SIL, HIL, VIL, and representative integration environments to reduce integration risk before flight and operational testing.
• Lead cross-domain debugging and troubleshooting 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 help drive engineering best practices across the team.

Skills

C++

Python

RTOS

Linux development

ROS

Systems engineering

Education

BS in Computer Science / Electrical / Aerospace / Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ROS

Job description

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.

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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, including 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 systems, while solving 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 engineering problems and wants to see autonomy capabilities transition from development into real-world operational use.

What you'll do:

• Lead platform integration of Hivemind autonomy across expeditionary and emerging operations platforms.
• Develop and maintain software interfaces between autonomy, vehicle subsystems, autopilots, payloads, mission computers, and platform services.
• Configure mission-computing environments, including Linux systems, middleware, containers, and deployment pipelines.
• Integrate mission hardware and systems, including sensors, payloads, radios, tactical networks, ground control stations, and mission systems.
• Develop reusable integration frameworks, platform adapters, and deployment mechanisms that accelerate onboarding of new platforms.
• Support SIL, HIL, VIL, and representative integration environments to reduce integration risk before flight and operational testing.
• Lead cross-domain debugging and troubleshooting 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 help drive engineering best practices across the team.

Required qualifications:

• BS in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 4–7 years of experience integrating and testing robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or similarly complex systems.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python, with familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Proficiency in Linux-based development and integration environments.
• Experience integrating complex software systems with vehicle platforms, mission-computing environments, payloads, sensors, and communications systems.
• Experience with sensor integration and middleware frameworks such as ROS.
• Hands-on experience supporting field tests, demonstrations, or operational events.
• Strong systems engineering, debugging, 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, including fixed-wing aircraft, quadrotors, or both.
• Background in autonomy, robotics, or aerospace systems.
• Familiarity with flight controllers, radios, and communications systems.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and modern software deployment practices.

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.

152000 - 228000 USD a year

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.