Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs at Shield AI with Visa Sponsorship
Senior AI Software Engineer jobs at Shield AI sit at the intersection of autonomy, defense systems, and applied machine learning. Shield AI actively supports international talent through a range of visa pathways, making these roles accessible to qualified candidates from abroad.
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INTRODUCTION
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.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Shield AI’s mission is to protect the lives of service members and civilians with intelligent systems. The Hardware Test Engineering team contributes to this effort by designing test solutions that drive high hardware reliability on our V-BAT vehicle. These solutions are in-house designed electrical and mechanical equipment used to perform component and system-level testing, both at ambient and in simulated harsh environmental conditions. In this role you will develop software that automates hardware testing, integrates test results with existing manufacturing software, create software infrastructure for scaling test automation to dozens of test stands, and create and manage databases for logging test results. Help us save lives as we strive to deliver the most highly reliable aerospace hardware in the industry.
Responsibilities
- Architect, design, and develop software drivers and interfaces in Python for hardware systems, including PCBAs, avionics, sensors, and automated test equipment.
- Design and implement automated test frameworks to validate aircraft components and subsystems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and repeatability across multiple programs.
- Develop and evolve CI/CD pipelines that enable continuous integration, automated validation, and seamless deployment of test stand software.
- Build and maintain scalable test infrastructure and shared libraries, promoting modularity, reusability, and consistency across teams and platforms.
- Automate system provisioning and configuration management to accelerate deployment and maintenance of new test stands and test environments.
- Develop real-time monitoring and data visualization tools (e.g., Grafana) to deliver actionable insights during test execution and system debugging.
- Lead and participate in design and code reviews, championing sound architectural principles, testability, observability, and reliability throughout the software stack.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, systems, and QA teams to integrate software and test capabilities into broader aircraft validation workflows.
- Other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- B.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM field.
- Mastery of fundamental computer science topics.
- Advanced skillset for developing software in Python.
- Experience with Linux including Bash scripting and networking.
- Ability to configure and maintain small computer networks.
- Experience working on complex software development projects, which can be from an internship, job, club, team, personal project, etc.
- Demonstrated history of showing ownership of project outcomes and delivering exceptional results.
- Record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Comfort working with hardware, as the testcases you write will interface with circuit boards, motors, and sensors.
- Mastery of fundamental engineering concepts including EE, Mech E, Programming, Physics, and Mathematics.
- Experience writing drivers for electronics test equipment.
- Demonstrated adaptability, agility, and the ability to innovate under pressure to meet dynamic project demands and drive successful outcomes.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $128,045 - $192,067 a year
- Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
- Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible 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 is 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. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs at Shield AI
Align your portfolio to defense autonomy work
Shield AI builds autonomous systems for contested environments. Before applying, document project experience with perception, planning, or control systems. ITAR-adjacent work samples and unclassified contributions to robotics or autonomous platforms signal immediate relevance to their hiring teams.
Verify your OPT STEM extension eligibility early
Aerospace and defense roles qualify under STEM OPT extension categories. Confirm your degree field is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before your initial OPT expires, since the 24-month extension requires a valid training plan filed with your DSO.
Request H-1B sponsorship intent before the offer stage
Shield AI's recruiting process for senior engineering roles can move quickly. Ask your recruiter directly about H-1B sponsorship during the final interview round, not after an offer arrives, so legal review and LCA filing with DOL can begin without delay.
Prepare a clearance-readiness statement for your application
Many Senior AI Software Engineer roles at Shield AI require or lead to security clearances. Non-U.S. citizens on work visas can hold clearances in limited circumstances. Address your eligibility directly in your resume summary so recruiters don't screen you out automatically.
Target Shield AI roles through Migrate Mate's job board
Migrate Mate filters Senior AI Software Engineer openings at Shield AI by visa sponsorship type, so you can focus only on roles that match your current status, whether that's F-1 OPT, TN, or Green Card sponsorship.
Understand the PERM timeline before accepting an offer
If you're targeting EB-2 or EB-3 Green Card sponsorship, Shield AI must complete PERM labor certification through DOL before filing your immigrant petition. That process typically takes 12 to 18 months, so clarify where sponsorship sits in your offer negotiation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shield AI sponsor H-1B visas for Senior AI Software Engineers?
Shield AI has sponsored work visas for engineering roles, and H-1B visa sponsorship is a standard pathway for senior technical positions at defense technology companies. If you're applying as a current H-1B holder, Shield AI would need to file an H-1B transfer with USCIS. If you need cap-subject sponsorship, timing around the April lottery window matters significantly for your start date planning.
Which visa types are commonly used for Senior AI Software Engineer roles at Shield AI?
Shield AI supports multiple visa categories for this role, including F-1 OPT and STEM OPT extension, TN visas for Canadian and Mexican nationals, J-1 visa for eligible exchange visitors, and both EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa sponsorship for longer-term Green Card pathways. The right category depends on your nationality, degree field, and how long you've been in the U.S.
What qualifications and experience does Shield AI expect for Senior AI Software Engineer roles?
Senior AI Software Engineer positions at Shield AI typically require hands-on experience with perception, autonomy, or machine learning systems in production environments. A master's or Ph.D. in computer science, robotics, or a related engineering field strengthens your application. Familiarity with C++ or Python in real-time or embedded contexts, and any background in defense, aerospace, or safety-critical systems, is directly relevant.
How do I apply for Senior AI Software Engineer jobs at Shield AI?
You can browse and apply for Senior AI Software Engineer openings at Shield AI through Migrate Mate, which surfaces roles filtered by visa sponsorship type so you only see positions aligned with your immigration status. Once you identify a role, apply directly and be transparent about your visa situation early in the process. Shield AI's recruiting team for senior engineering roles typically moves through a technical screen, system design round, and team interviews.
How do I plan my timeline if Shield AI is sponsoring my Green Card?
Green Card sponsorship through Shield AI involves PERM labor certification with DOL, followed by an I-140 petition with USCIS, and then adjustment of status or consular processing. The PERM stage alone can take 12 to 18 months under current processing times. If you're from India or China, priority date backlogs in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories add years beyond that, so starting early in your tenure at the company is critical.