As a Simulation Framework Engineer (L1) on the Simulation Framework Team, you will help develop and maintain the software that connects modeling and simulation (M&S) environments with core autonomy software. You will work alongside experienced engineers to write C++ and Python code, build adapters and plugins, and support reusable software components that reduce the simulation-specific complexity exposed to autonomy developers.
This is a hands-on software engineering role intended for an early-career engineer who is interested in defense simulation, autonomy, distributed systems, and technical integration. You will contribute to simulation environments and frameworks such as NGTS, AFSIM, Aechelon, HMSSimBlocks, and the emerging Hivemind Simulation Framework (HMSF).
You will support the team’s migration of HMSSimBlocks capabilities to HMSF by helping implement baseline adapters, port selected modules, test functionality, and maintain compatibility for programs that continue to use HMSSimBlocks. You will also assist integration teams by investigating framework, plugin, interface, and data-exchange issues under the guidance of senior engineers.
What you'll do:
- Develop, compile, test, and maintain C++ and Python software for simulation adapters, plugins, and interfaces.
- Contribute to baseline integrations for simulation backends such as AFSIM, NGTS, Aechelon, HMSSimBlocks, and HMSF.
- Assist with the transition from HMSSimBlocks to HMSF by porting simulation features, updating interfaces, validating behavior, and documenting migration considerations.
- Help maintain and improve existing HMSSimBlocks integrations for programs that still depend on the legacy framework.
- Support the development of reusable simulation components and plugin patterns that enable other engineering teams to integrate custom sensors, vehicle models, effects, or mission capabilities.
- Assist with implementation and maintenance of CIGI-based plugins and interfaces that enable communication between simulation frameworks and Aechelon image generators.
- Help verify functional behavior across simulation plugins, including Common Scenario Format (CSF) file loading, DDS communications, GRID interface requirements, and Hivemind SDK compatibility.
- Diagnose simulation and autonomy integration issues by reviewing application logs, network traffic, DDS messages, API behavior, configuration files, and call stacks.
- Write and maintain unit tests, automated integration tests, developer documentation, and example configurations.
- Participate in code reviews, engineering design discussions, bug triage, and collaborative debugging with simulation, autonomy, and integration teams.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
- Foundational programming experience in C++ and Python through coursework, internships, personal projects, research, or professional experience.
- Familiarity with Linux development environments, including command-line tools, compiling software, and basic scripting.
- Understanding of core software engineering practices, including Git-based version control, debugging, code review, and automated testing.
- Familiarity with object-oriented programming, software interfaces, APIs, and modular software design.
- Exposure to networking concepts such as TCP, UDP, client-server communication, message passing, or data serialization.
- Interest in modeling and simulation, autonomy, robotics, distributed systems, game engines, visualization systems, or defense technology.
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and willingness to learn from senior engineers and cross-functional partners.
- Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. SECRET security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
Preferred qualifications:
- Internship, academic project, research, or personal-project experience involving simulation, robotics, autonomy, game engines, embedded systems, or vehicle modeling.
- Exposure to modeling and simulation tools or frameworks, including AFSIM, NGTS, Unreal Engine, Unity, Gazebo, ROS/ROS 2, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar environments.
- Familiarity with middleware or distributed communications technologies such as DDS, ROS 2, ZeroMQ, gRPC, or message queues.
- Basic familiarity with CIGI, DIS, HLA, CSF, or other simulation and interoperability standards.
- Experience writing unit tests or automated tests using tools such as GoogleTest, pytest, CTest, or similar frameworks.
- Experience using build systems such as CMake, Make, Bazel, or similar tools.
- Familiarity with containerized development environments, including Docker or Podman.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience
- Foundational programming experience in C++ and Python
- Familiarity with Linux development environments, command-line tools, compiling software, and basic scripting
- Understanding of Git-based version control, debugging, code review, and automated testing
- Familiarity with object-oriented programming, software interfaces, APIs, and modular software design
- Exposure to networking concepts such as TCP, UDP, client-server communication, message passing, or data serialization
- Interest in modeling and simulation, autonomy, robotics, distributed systems, game engines, visualization systems, or defense technology
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and willingness to learn
- Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. SECRET security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Internship, academic project, research, or personal-project experience involving simulation, robotics, autonomy, game engines, embedded systems, or vehicle modeling
- Exposure to AFSIM, NGTS, Unreal Engine, Unity, Gazebo, ROS/ROS 2, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar environments
- Familiarity with DDS, ROS 2, ZeroMQ, gRPC, or message queues
- Basic familiarity with CIGI, DIS, HLA, CSF, or other simulation and interoperability standards
- Experience writing unit tests or automated tests using GoogleTest, pytest, CTest, or similar frameworks
- Experience using CMake, Make, Bazel, or similar build systems
- Familiarity with Docker or Podman
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Healthcare Strength — Company materials highlight comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with mental-health support and an EAP. Third-party benefits summaries also portray health coverage as a strong component of the package.
-
Retirement Support — Offerings include a 401(k) with employer matching, cited on the careers page and independent benefits directories. Multiple sources indicate a match exists, though exact formulas have varied over time and warrant confirmation.
-
Equity Value & Accessibility — Company communications describe equity for all full-time hires and stock benefits as part of total rewards. Independent listings also note company equity/RSUs as a standard element.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
At Shield AI, you won't wait years to see your work reach the field. You'll build hardware and software that operates in the real world right now, in the hands of the people who depend on it. Hivemind, our AI pilot, has been flying since 2018. It has flown more than 30 platforms, including an F-16, and it now sits under a U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. When you write code or shape a system here, you contribute to technology with a proven flight record and a clear production future. V-BAT flies intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with an operational record that stretches from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. It delivers eyes where they matter most, in the most demanding conditions on earth. The teams behind it watch their work get tested where the stakes are real. X-BAT takes its first flight this year. It's an AI-piloted fighter that needs no runway, built to operate where traditional aircraft can't. Join now and you help shape a program at its earliest, most formative stage. That's the kind of ground-floor work that defines a career. Do the most impactful work of your life, on problems that matter. Autonomy at this level asks a lot of you. You'll take on problems in perception, planning, and control that few teams anywhere are equipped to solve. You'll work across disciplines, from aerospace and robotics to machine learning and systems engineering, alongside people who hold themselves to an exacting standard and expect the same from you. Our mission is clear: protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. That purpose runs through every decision, every design review, and every deployment. It's why the work here carries a weight you can feel. Ready to join our mission? Explore our open roles and find where you fit.
Why Work With Us
Founded in 2015 by a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI builds AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft. Veterans aren't an afterthought here, they're at every level. It's why the work carries weight: AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft flying real missions, from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, protecting service members and civilians.
Gallery
%203.jpg)
Shield AI Teams
.jpg)
Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
