Software Integration Engineer (L1)

About the role

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company building intelligent systems that protect service members and civilians. Its Systems & Platform Integration team develops the software interfaces, configurations and integration frameworks that connect Hivemind autonomy with vehicle systems, sensors, payloads, mission computers and communications systems. As a Software Integration Engineer (L1), you will write C++ integration software, work with device and vehicle interfaces, configure Linux-based mission computers and troubleshoot data flow across distributed systems, supporting integration and validation in SIL, HIL, VIL, lab and field environments.

Key responsibilities

• Develop C++ software interfaces between Hivemind and sensors, flight controllers, payloads, radios and vehicle systems.
• Build and maintain interface blocks, platform adapters and middleware components.
• Integrate sensor and vehicle data into autonomy software.
• Implement and debug communication interfaces using MAVLink, serial, TCP/UDP and multicast.
• Configure and deploy software on Linux-based mission computers.
• Support SIL, HIL, VIL and lab integration testing.
• Write Python scripts and tools for testing, configuration, data analysis and troubleshooting.
• Debug issues involving software interfaces, data formats, timing, networking, configuration and system behavior.
• Work with autonomy, systems, test and flight teams to integrate and validate software on new platforms.

Required profile

• 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.
• Programming experience in C++ through coursework, projects, research or student teams.
• Familiarity with Linux and basic software debugging.
• Understanding of classes, data structures, interfaces and object-oriented programming.
• Interest in robotics, embedded software, distributed systems, autonomy or aerospace systems.
• Strong problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with robotics or engineering teams such as FIRST Robotics.
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS 2, ArduPilot, PX4, MAVLink or similar frameworks and protocols.
• Experience with CMake, Git, Docker or other C++ development tools.
• Experience with sensors, flight controllers, embedded systems or mission computers.
• Python experience for scripting, testing or data analysis.