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Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
The Role
Design, develop, and maintain ground control and mission-planning software for the X-BAT platform. Build full-stack, low-latency, fault-tolerant systems for telemetry fusion, operator UIs (React/TypeScript), communication interfaces, and integrations with autonomy and flight teams. Lead feature development, write well-tested code, and collaborate across embedded, UX, and flight-test teams to deliver field-ready solutions.
Summary Generated by Built In
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.
We are seeking a highly motivated Ground System Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain software systems for the X-BAT Platform. This role focuses on building robust ground control stations, mission planning tools, communication interfaces, and infrastructure that enable the X-BAT mission, and supports operational requirements safe and efficient drone operations.
You'll work at the intersection of all major components of the X-BAT Platform and its systems, providing user-facing applications to operate X-BAT and supporting equipment or vehicles, and will be collaborating closely with our Aircraft Software, Hivemind, and Flight Test teams to design this state-of-the-art ground system.
What you'll do
- Design, develop, and optimize next-gen ground control software that enables low-latency communication with UAVs and other autonomous platforms.
- Build high-performance full-stack applications that support telemetry processing and fusion, mission planning, and real-time situational awareness.
- Implement responsive user interfaces with React and TypeScript for telemetry readout and sensor feeds, operator workflows, and mission/vehicle state.
- Collaborate closely with teams across autonomy, embedded systems, human factors, and UX to deliver integrated, field-ready solutions.
- Contribute to architectural decisions and system designs that ensure responsiveness, scalability, and fault-tolerance.
- Lead and/or participate in development efforts on key features or subsystems, from early design through deployment and iteration.
- Write high-quality, well-tested code and participate in peer design/code reviews.
Required qualifications:
- Senior: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Robotics, or a related field with 5+ years of professional software development experience, or Masters with 4+ years, or PhD with 2+ years.
- Staff: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Robotics, or a related field with 7+ years of professional software development experience, or Masters with 6+ years, or PhD with 4+ years.
- Proficiency in a strongly typed programming language (e.g. C#, TypeScript, Java, C++) with exposure to lower-level systems or protocol integration.
- Experience with web technologies, especially React, TypeScript/JavaScript, and Node.js.
- Strong software engineering fundamentals including version control, testing, debugging, and performance profiling.
- Proven ability to deliver high-quality software as part of a collaborative engineering team.
- Experience building distributed systems or networked applications
- Experience developing user interfaces (e.g., React, Vue, QT, or similar frameworks)
- Strong debugging, problem solving, and system integration skills
- Speed and proficiency without the use of Generative AI tools (due to the nature of our work, these are prohibited)
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment
- Ability to obtain security clearance
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with GCS software, mission planning tools, or real-time visualization platforms.
- Familiarity with API-driven systems using REST or gRPC, and communication protocols like WebSocket or custom telemetry formats.
- Knowledge of standards such as STANAG 4586, Cursor on Target (CoT), or MAVLink.
- Experience with UAS platforms and AI/ML systems.
- Familiarity with containerized environments (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and CI/CD practices.
- Exposure to distributed systems and cloud integration for telemetry data pipelines and sensor fusion.
- Understanding of security best practices in control systems and networked applications.
- Exposure to cybersecurity best practices for embedded or distributed systems, preferably within Gov and/or Defense environments
#LI-AA1
#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.
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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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Robotics, or related field with 5+ years (Masters 4+, PhD 2+); Staff-level options listed for higher experience
- Proficiency in strongly typed programming languages (e.g., C#, TypeScript, Java, C++)
- Experience with web technologies, especially React, TypeScript/JavaScript, and Node.js
- Strong software engineering fundamentals: version control, testing, debugging, performance profiling
- Experience building distributed systems or networked applications
- Experience developing user interfaces (React, Vue, Qt, or similar)
- Strong debugging, problem solving, and system integration skills
- Speed and proficiency without the use of Generative AI tools (prohibited)
- Ability to obtain security clearance
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance (desired)
- Proven ability to deliver high-quality software as part of a collaborative engineering team
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment
- Experience with GCS software, mission planning tools, or real-time visualization platforms
- Familiarity with API-driven systems (REST, gRPC) and communication protocols (WebSocket, custom telemetry)
- Knowledge of standards such as STANAG 4586, Cursor on Target (CoT), or MAVLink
- Experience with UAS platforms and AI/ML systems
- Familiarity with containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes) and CI/CD practices
- Exposure to distributed systems and cloud integration for telemetry data pipelines and sensor fusion
- Understanding of security and cybersecurity best practices for control and embedded/distributed systems, preferably in Gov/Defense contexts
What the Team is Saying
Dylan
Lead Engineer, Planning and Controls-Motion
Mo
Lead Engineer, Platform Automation
Willy
Technical Director
Michael
Engineering Manager - State Estimation
Vibhav
Senior Staff Engineer
Kirby
Mechanical Engineer
Ryan
CEO
Evan
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
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The Company
What We Do
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Typical time on-site:
3 days a week
