Develop and integrate core platform software and infrastructure for autonomous systems. Own integration across SIL/HIL/VIL and edge deployment, build reference implementations and tooling, support embedded hardware bring-up, debug Linux-based systems and hardware interfaces, and partner cross-functionally to improve stability, APIs, and scalability.
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. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
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.
#LI-DM2
#LD
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 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.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead a multidisciplinary software test and automation team to define verification and validation strategies across simulation, SIL/HIL/VIL and operational environments. Build automated regression tests, validation frameworks, and CI/CD-integrated test infrastructure; establish software readiness criteria and metrics; coordinate with engineering, integration, and flight test teams; develop roadmaps and staffing plans; mentor engineers and present readiness and risk to leadership.
Top Skills:
Ci/CdHilRosSilSonarqubeVil
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Develop, integrate, and field autonomy software for launched effects platforms, owning features from design through live flight testing. Drive technical execution, collaborate with autonomy, perception, and vendor teams, support system bring-up and field operations, and implement C2 interoperability and deployment processes. Travel to tests and customer exercises to support mission execution and debugging.
Top Skills:
C++Embedded SystemsLinuxReal-Time Systems
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead technical delivery and integration of autonomy software for V-BAT and X-BAT, defining flight-autonomy interfaces, integrating payloads and mission autonomy, coordinating cross-team engineering, ensuring mission readiness, supporting flight tests and deployments, mentoring engineers, and improving integration workflows and testing infrastructure.
Top Skills:
C++Linux
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering

