Software Development Engineer - New Graduate

The role

You will design, build, test and ship C++ and Python features and tools for autonomy software, alongside experienced engineers. Some of the work is embedded firmware in C/C++ for real-time software that controls a UAV in flight.

What you will do

• Design, implement, test and ship C++ and/or Python features, tools and tests
• Write embedded firmware in C/C++ for real-time UAV flight software
• Develop tests, reporters and tooling in Python to validate software behavior and performance
• Develop and evaluate autonomy software such as mission behavior, planning, multi-agent coordination, decision-making, platform integration or perception
• Build unit and integration tests, run simulation or bench results, and investigate failures using logs, telemetry and traces
• Support software integration across autonomy, platform interfaces, sensors, mission compute and C2 systems, including simulation, SIL, HIL and bench testing
• Work with real and simulated data from cameras, EO/IR sensors, IMUs, GPS, radars and mission payloads
• Work with electrical and mechanical engineers to determine and validate software requirements
• Write documentation for setup, interface assumptions, configuration, test procedures and findings
• Take part in code reviews, design discussions and test debriefs, and take on more ownership over time

Required qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related field
• Graduating between December 2026 and August 2027
• Proficiency in C++ and/or Python
• Solid foundation in data structures, algorithms and software fundamentals
• Ability to own well-scoped tasks with limited guidance and communicate progress clearly
• Must be able to work in-person full-time

Nice to have

• Hands-on project experience (competition team, research lab, capstone or personal projects) in robotics, controls, planning, computer vision or machine learning
• Prior internship or co-op experience writing software
• Familiarity with simulation tools, ROS/ROS2, or hardware-in-the-loop/software-in-the-loop testing
• Experience with sensor data (cameras, EO/IR, IMU, GPS, radar) or multimodal AI/ML data
• Experience writing unit/integration tests and debugging using logs or telemetry
• Comfortable working in a Linux environment and using version control (e.g., Git)
• Exposure to embedded systems, real-time software or safety-critical software practices

Benefits

• Bonus
• Benefits
• Equity

Before you apply

• All offers are contingent on a cleared background check and possible reference check
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.