What You'll Do
- Support live customer demonstrations of Hivemind autonomy by setting up and operating software on UAVs in field environments.
- Develop, test, and debug software components for flight operations, ensuring seamless integration of Hivemind SDK onto customer platforms.
- Conduct flight testing of UAV autonomy, logging results, debugging issues, and providing feedback to the autonomy development team
- Work cross-functionally with engineering, product, and customer success teams to refine software configurations and optimize mission performance.
- Analyze and document flight test results, providing actionable insights to improve autonomy, controls, and user experience.
- Collaborate directly with customers, pilots, and engineers to tailor UAV behavior and troubleshoot technical challenges.
- Contribute to automation tools for telemetry collection, flight data analysis, and debugging.
Required Qualifications
- B.S in Computer Science, AI, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering or similar.
- 5+ years of experience in software development with strong proficiency in C++.
- Experience working with UAV flight software, autonomy, or robotics systems.
- Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills, particularly in real-time field environments.
- Familiarity with flight controllers (PX4, ArduPilot, or similar) and UAV integration workflows.
- Experience conducting field tests and live demonstrations with autonomous systems.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally (30%).
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work directly with customers in high-stakes environments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) simulation for UAV testing.
- Prior experience in DoD programs, military UAV operations, or aerospace/defense testing.
- Experience working with MAVLink, RTPS, or DDS-based communication protocols.
- FAA Part 107 certification or experience operating UAVs in field environments.
What the Team is Saying
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.
Shield AI Insights
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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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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
