Embedded Software Engineer

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Our products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With a global presence, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit and follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description

As an Embedded Software Engineer at Shield AI, you will develop, deploy, and optimize embedded software for advanced autonomous systems operating in real-world environments. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust, scalable solutions that push the boundaries of intelligent systems for defense and security applications.

What You'll Do

• Design, implement, test, and optimize embedded software for real-time autonomous systems on resource-constrained hardware platforms

• Build reliable, maintainable, and high-performance code, primarily in C/C++

• Develop comprehensive tests and evaluate performance in simulation and on hardware

• Diagnose and debug complex embedded software issues, including concurrency and integration problems

• Work closely with hardware, autonomy, and robotics teams to ensure seamless end-to-end system integration

• Contribute to system and software architecture design, technical documentation, and code reviews

• Take new features from ideation through verification, refinement, and deployment into active field operations

• Stay current with the latest advancements in embedded systems, autonomy, and robotics

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience

• Strong professional experience developing and debugging embedded software in C/C++

• Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) or embedded Linux

• Familiarity with embedded software for robotics, autonomous systems, or safety-critical applications

• Strong understanding of software engineering best practices, including testing, debugging, version control, and maintainable design

• Experience developing and debugging software on Linux

• Ability to communicate technical decisions and collaborate effectively across disciplines

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with microcontrollers, SoCs, FPGA-based systems or sensor integration

• Experience in safety-critical or fielded embedded software for autonomy, robotics, or aerospace platforms

• Understanding of connectivity protocols (e.g., UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet)

• Experience in system-level validation: software- or hardware-in-the-loop simulation or direct field testing

• Contributions to open-source embedded projects or relevant applied research

Benefits

• Competitive pay + Bonus + Equity

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits

• Generous paid time off and parental leave

• Learning and development resources

• Flexible work environment

Salary compensation is influenced by a broad range of factors, including skill set, experience, certifications, and work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and potential reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits; please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and 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.