Staff Systems Engineer — Real-Time Autonomy for Aircraft

Shield AI; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 135,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Mission Systems Software Engineer to develop real-time mission‑computing software for autonomous aircraft. You will help define software architecture, collaborate with hardware, FPGA, cybersecurity and safety teams, and drive software from PDR to fielding.

Applicants should have 5+ years in software engineering with embedded real-time systems, strong C/C++, and a track record in architecture leadership. U.S.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing real-time, safety-critical software.
• Strong C/C++ proficiency and systems programming skills.
• Experience with embedded OS and middleware integration.
• Ability to lead architecture discussions and cross-team reviews.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DoD clearance.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end software architecture for real-time mission systems.
• Architect for deterministic performance with scheduling and latency considerations.
• Integrate sensors, navigation, autonomy, and vehicle services with hardware teams.
• Verify designs across HIL/SIL labs, simulations, and flight tests.
• Maintain architectural decisions and manage technical debt.
• Establish engineering practices for concurrency, memory, and resources.

Skills

Real-time systems engineering

C/C++ programming

Systems architecture leadership

Problem-solving & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field

Tools

RTOS

Middleware

Embedded tooling

Job description

Shield AI seeks a Mission Systems Software Engineer to develop real-time mission‑computing software for autonomous aircraft. You will help define software architecture, collaborate with hardware, FPGA, cybersecurity and safety teams, and drive software from PDR to fielding.

Applicants should have 5+ years in software engineering with embedded real-time systems, strong C/C++, and a track record in architecture leadership. U.S.