Lead architecture, development, integration, and testing of safety-critical C++ Run-Time Assurance software for autonomous aircraft. Drive rigorous coding, assurance, certification, documentation, and testing practices; integrate software with autonomy and middleware systems; ensure fail-safe behavior across platforms; mentor engineers; and provide technical leadership for reliable, certifiable flight software.
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. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Shield AI is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to help drive the design, development, and integration of a safety critical Run-Time Assurance (RTA) product. The Hivemind Foundations team is responsible for a suite of core products and capabilities that brings resilient autonomy and intelligence to aircraft and other platforms operating in complex environments. The RTA product that the Foundations team develops is a real-time safety capability that helps keep autonomy safe, predictable, and effective at the edge.
As a member of the Foundations team, you will be responsible for driving C++ software development against rigorous coding standards and requirements, integration of reusable safety capabilities into production systems, defining clean interfaces and tests, and turn safety-critical designs into reliable software that can fly, including support for X-BAT, Shield AI's flagship Group 5 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) UAV.
What you'll do:
- Drive architecture, development, integration and testing of an extensible, configurable Run-Time Assurance (RTA) module that ensures safe operation of autonomous systems in diverse, adversarial conditions.
- Work closely with other engineers in Foundations to design and integrate with the low-assurance mission-autonomy software and high-assurance middleware.
- Specialize, integrate and test the RTA capability on a diverse set of platforms in various conditions to ensure robust fail-safe behavior.
- Drive principled software development practices across Foundations including but not limited to code analysis, audit trail, principled review processes.
- Collaborate with the team to generate artifacts that enable certifiability of Foundations software, including but not limited to static & dynamic analysis reports, software documentation, architecture decision records (ADRs), interface control diagrams (ICDs), system models.
- Mentor and guide Foundations developers on practices of safe software development to enhance software quality and assurance.
Required qualifications:
- Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 9 years with a Master’s degree; or 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
- Demonstrated excellence in designing and developing C++ based safety-critical software systems with Real-Time guarantees.
- Experience working as a mentor to other engineers in a role driving software best practices to enhance software quality.
- Experience integrating software on real-world physical systems and driving up performance and reliability.
- Deep expertise in C++ software architecture design patterns and their practical implementation.
- Strong knowledge of software assurance certifications such as DO-178C and MIL-HDBK-516.
- Strong Git and Linux development skills, along with modern software development practices (e.g., CI/CD, test-driven development).
- A track record of technical leadership, with the ability to set and maintain high standards, guide teams through complex technical challenges, and collaborate effectively.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience developing against strict C++ coding standards (e.g., MISRA C++, JSF AV C++)
- Hands-on experience with airworthiness certifications such as MIL-HDBK-516, DO-178C.
- Experience taking a solution through a certification process and achieving a certification.
#LI-KC3
#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 • Defense Technology
Develop and maintain C++ and Python simulation adapters, plugins, interfaces, and reusable framework components. Support migration from HMSSimBlocks to HMSF, integrate simulation backends, maintain CIGI and DDS interfaces, troubleshoot autonomy integration issues, and create tests and documentation. Collaborate with senior engineers on code reviews, debugging, design discussions, and integration support across simulation and autonomy teams.
Top Skills:
AechelonAfsimAPIsBazelC++CigiCmakeCommon Scenario Format (Csf)CtestDdsDockerGazeboGitGoogletestGrpcHivemind Simulation Framework (Hmsf)HmssimblocksLinuxMakeMatlabNgtsPodmanPytestPythonRosRos 2SimulinkTcpUdpUnityUnreal EngineZeromq
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Develop and maintain C++ and Python simulation adapters, plugins, interfaces, and reusable components. Support migration from HMSSimBlocks to HMSF, integrate simulation backends, maintain CIGI and DDS communications, diagnose distributed-system issues, and create tests and documentation. Collaborate with simulation, autonomy, and integration teams on code reviews, debugging, and framework improvements.
Top Skills:
AechelonAfsimBazelC++CigiCmakeCommon Scenario Format (Csf)CtestDdsDisDockerGazeboGitGoogletestGrpcHivemind SdkHivemind Simulation Framework (Hmsf)HlaHmssimblocksLinuxMakeMatlabNgtsPodmanPytestPythonRosRos 2SimulinkTcpUdpUnityUnreal EngineZeromq
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Develop and test C++ and Python software, embedded firmware, autonomy features, simulation tools, and testing infrastructure for UAV systems. Work with sensors, perception, planning, mission systems, and real or simulated data. Investigate failures using logs and telemetry, support hardware- and software-in-the-loop integration, collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, document workflows, and participate in code reviews and design discussions.
Top Skills:
CC++Computer VisionEmbedded SystemsGitGpsHardware-In-The-Loop TestingLinuxMachine LearningPythonRadarReal-Time SoftwareRosRos2Sensor FusionSoftware-In-The-Loop TestingUav Systems
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
