Software Development Engineer - New Graduate

About the role

Shield AI, a venture-backed defense-tech company, is hiring Autonomous Software Engineers for full-time, paid, in-person positions starting in 2027. The role is open to students graduating during the 2026-2027 academic year, working alongside experienced engineers on software for unmanned aerial vehicles.

Key responsibilities

• Design, implement, test and ship C++ and/or Python features, tools and tests.
• Write embedded firmware in C/C++ for real-time software controlling an advanced UAV in flight.
• Develop Python tests, reporters and tooling to validate software behavior and performance.
• Develop and evaluate autonomy software such as mission behavior, planning, multi-agent coordination, decision-making, perception and AI/ML workflows.
• Build unit and integration tests, analyze simulation and bench results, and debug using logs, telemetry and traces.
• Support integration across autonomy capabilities, vehicle interfaces, sensors, mission compute and command-and-control systems, including simulation, software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Work with real and simulated data from cameras, EO/IR sensors, IMUs, GPS and radars.
• Collaborate with electrical and mechanical engineers on software requirements, write documentation and take part in code reviews and design discussions.

Required profile

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical or Aerospace Engineering or a related field, graduating between December 2026 and August 2027.
• Ability to own well-scoped tasks with limited guidance and communicate progress clearly.
• Must be able to work in person full time.

Required skills

• Proficiency in C++ and/or Python.
• Solid foundation in data structures, algorithms and software fundamentals.
• Preferred: Linux, Git, ROS/ROS2, unit and integration testing, embedded or real-time software experience.