Software Engineer I, New Grad in Washington DC

About Shield AI

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company focused on 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. The company has offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. More information is available at www.shield.ai.

About the Role

Shield AI is hiring Autonomous Software Engineers for full-time roles starting in 2027. This is a paid, in-person position for students graduating during the 2026-2027 academic year. Applications are being reviewed for roles starting after graduation in 2027.

What You'll Do

• Design, implement, test, and ship C++ and/or Python features, tools, and tests alongside experienced engineers.
• Write embedded firmware in C/C++ for real-time software that controls the advanced UAV in flight.
• Develop tests, reporters, and tooling in Python to validate software behavior and performance.
• Develop and evaluate autonomy software in areas such as mission behavior, planning, multi-agent coordination, decision-making, platform integration, or perception (object detection, tracking, sensor fusion, localization, situational awareness, or AI/ML-enabled workflows).
• Build unit and integration tests, run and analyze simulation or bench results, and investigate failures using logs, telemetry, traces, and debugging tools.
• Support software integration across autonomy capabilities, platform and vehicle interfaces, sensors, perception products, mission compute, and operator or command-and-control (C2) systems, including simulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and bench testing.
• Work with real and simulated data from cameras, EO/IR sensors, IMUs, GPS, radars, or other mission payloads.
• Work cross-functionally with electrical and mechanical engineers to help determine and validate software requirements.
• Write documentation for setup steps, interface assumptions, configuration, test procedures, and findings so workflows stay repeatable.
• Participate in code reviews, design discussions, and test debriefs, and take on more ownership of features and fixes over time.

Shield AI is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is 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. Candidates who need an accommodation due to a disability or special need should let the company know.