Staff Engineer, Core Platform Integration (R5411)

Shield; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI, a defense-tech company, is seeking an experienced Platform Software Engineer to develop and integrate core software and platform infrastructure for mission-critical autonomous systems. The role spans development through deployment, collaborating with autonomy, hardware, product, and program teams.

You will own platform integration across SIL, HIL, VIL, and edge workflows, build reference workspaces and tooling, and ensure API quality and scalability for scalable deployments.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in robotics, autonomy, embedded/distributed platforms.
• Strong C++ and Python
• Experience building developer tools and automation.
• Experience debugging across Linux-based systems and hardware interfaces.
• B.S. or Master’s in Engineering, CS, or related field
• Ability to work independently in ambiguous areas and drive cross-functional integration.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Responsibilities

• Own platform integration across SIL, HIL, VIL, and edge deployment workflows.
• Build and maintain reference workspaces, platform references, and tooling to accelerate development, testing, deployment, and validation.
• Integrate platform software across hardware, sensors, controllers, APIs, orchestration, and fleet management systems.
• Support embedded platform bring-up and hardware diversification across developer boards and test platforms.
• Improve platform stability, API quality, developer experience, and system scalability for mission-critical product and customer commitments.
• Partner with autonomy, hardware, product, and program teams to identify integration gaps and deliver durable solutions.

Skills

C++

Python

Developer tools

Embedded systems

Communication

Education

B.S. or Master’s in Engineering/CS

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-BATaircraft, 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.

Job Description:

Build the foundation for the next generation of autonomous systems. In this role, you’ll develop and integrate the core software and platform infrastructure that powers mission-critical technology, working across teams to deliver reliable, scalable solutions from development through deployment.

What you’ll do:

• Own platform integration across SIL, HIL, VIL, and edge deployment workflows, ensuring components work together reliably and are easy for developers to use.

• Build and maintain reference work spaces, platform reference implementations, and tooling that accelerate development, testing, deployment, and validation.

• Integrate platform-level software across hardware, sensors, controllers, APIs, configuration, orchestration, and fleet/device management systems.

• Support embedded platform bring-up and hardware diversification across developer boards, iron birds, aircraft/vehicle test platforms, and other reference hardware.

• Improve platform stability, API quality, developer experience, and system scalability for mission-critical product and customer commitments.

• Partner with autonomy, hardware, product, and program teams to identify integration gaps and deliver durable solutions.

Required qualifications:

• 5+ years experience with strong software engineering experience in robotics, autonomy, embedded systems, distributed systems, or similarly complex platforms.

• Strong experience with C++ and Python and experience building developer tools, configuration systems, orchestration frameworks, or automation.

• Experience integrating and debugging software across Linux-based systems, hardware interfaces, deployment environments, and APIs, including use of measurement or diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or protocol analyzers to debug embedded communication interfaces.

• B.S. or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

• Ability to work independently in ambiguous technical areas and drive cross-functional integration efforts to completion.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with SIL, HIL, and VIL workflows for autonomy, robotics, aerospace, automotive, or defense systems.

• Experience with embedded Linux, BSP development, build systems, device trees, bootloaders, or hardware bring-up.

• Experience with edge deployment, device discovery, fleet management, OTA workflows, or application deployment to remote devices.

• Experience with platforms such as Jetson, Qualcomm, i.MX8, or similar embedded compute hardware.

• Experience integrating sensor drivers, controller interfaces, vehicle interfaces, hardware abstraction layers, or reference test platforms.

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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 toequal 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.