Software Engineer Jobs at Shield AI with Visa Sponsorship
Shield AI builds autonomous systems for defense and national security, and their Software Engineer roles span embedded systems, AI/ML pipelines, and autonomy stacks. The company has sponsored work visas for engineering talent across multiple visa categories, making it a viable target if you're building a career in aerospace and defense software.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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
The VBAT Software team is a motivated group of engineers focused on developing complex avionics software that merges hardware, operating systems, and applications for cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Embedded Software engineers work with customer programs, electrical engineers, Guidance, Navigation and Controls (GNC) engineers, systems engineers, test engineers, and the autonomy team to design and develop software systems which utilize modern aerospace sensors, state-of-the-art UAV avionics, and groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence applications. As a member of the VBAT Software team, you will develop and maintain software architectures, generate and maintain all levels of software requirements, document and present software designs, coordinate software development, and marshal the entire suite of VBAT software through test and verification, release, and deployment to production and customers.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
- Develop high-quality C/C++ code tailored specifically for V-Bat aircraft, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and safety.
- Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews.
- Lead cross-functional teams to create systems of software features to implement advanced robotic avionics capabilities.
- Integrate software from multiple departments to include firmware, software test and verification, Autonomy AI, and Ground Control Stations (GCS).
- Develop software systems to implement and integrate interfaces to modern avionics sensors, sub-systems, and payloads.
- Facilitate the design process for updates to the software system architecture.
- Use modern software development tools and processes to capture our existing architecture and design future architectures.
- Collaborate to define and extend systems engineering processes.
- Report status, risks, accomplishments, expectations to senior leadership.
- Work with the V-Bat production teams to manufacture UAVs in-house.
- Design and implement systems capable of conducting tests across various environments, including virtualized hardware and hardware-in-the-loop simulations, to facilitate thorough evaluation of software functionality and performance.
- Develop innovative tools to enhance the frequency and reliability of software deployment, test execution, and data analysis within a continuous integration and release system, fostering improved efficiency and productivity in software development workflows.
- Create prototypes to validate critical design concepts and assess technical limitations, providing tangible evidence of feasibility and informing decision-making processes.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated track record of assuming ownership over development processes and features and delivering outstanding outcomes.
- Proven track record of successfully shipping products, showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles, overcome obstacles, and deliver high-quality solutions to meet project deadlines and exceed client expectations in a fast-paced environment.
- Proactively identify opportunities for improvement within software development projects, demonstrating initiative to propose and implement innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, quality, and overall project success and V-Bat reliability.
- B.S., M.S, PhD degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline, such as Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
- Strong embedded software development experience in C/C++.
- Strong knowledge of embedded software, kernel development, BSPs or other systems software components.
- Good understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, and network protocols fundamentals.
- Experience producing high-quality technical documentation, including architecture, detailed designs, and test plans.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working on cutting-edge autonomous robotic systems.
- Proven background in thriving within fast-paced environments, particularly within startup or R&D settings.
- Demonstrated adaptability, agility, and the ability to innovate under pressure to meet dynamic project demands and drive successful outcomes.
- Real Time Operating System (RTOS) experience.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $166,410 - $249,616 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.
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
The VBAT Software team is a motivated group of engineers focused on developing complex avionics software that merges hardware, operating systems, and applications for cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Embedded Software engineers work with customer programs, electrical engineers, Guidance, Navigation and Controls (GNC) engineers, systems engineers, test engineers, and the autonomy team to design and develop software systems which utilize modern aerospace sensors, state-of-the-art UAV avionics, and groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence applications. As a member of the VBAT Software team, you will develop and maintain software architectures, generate and maintain all levels of software requirements, document and present software designs, coordinate software development, and marshal the entire suite of VBAT software through test and verification, release, and deployment to production and customers.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
- Develop high-quality C/C++ code tailored specifically for V-Bat aircraft, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and safety.
- Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews.
- Lead cross-functional teams to create systems of software features to implement advanced robotic avionics capabilities.
- Integrate software from multiple departments to include firmware, software test and verification, Autonomy AI, and Ground Control Stations (GCS).
- Develop software systems to implement and integrate interfaces to modern avionics sensors, sub-systems, and payloads.
- Facilitate the design process for updates to the software system architecture.
- Use modern software development tools and processes to capture our existing architecture and design future architectures.
- Collaborate to define and extend systems engineering processes.
- Report status, risks, accomplishments, expectations to senior leadership.
- Work with the V-Bat production teams to manufacture UAVs in-house.
- Design and implement systems capable of conducting tests across various environments, including virtualized hardware and hardware-in-the-loop simulations, to facilitate thorough evaluation of software functionality and performance.
- Develop innovative tools to enhance the frequency and reliability of software deployment, test execution, and data analysis within a continuous integration and release system, fostering improved efficiency and productivity in software development workflows.
- Create prototypes to validate critical design concepts and assess technical limitations, providing tangible evidence of feasibility and informing decision-making processes.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated track record of assuming ownership over development processes and features and delivering outstanding outcomes.
- Proven track record of successfully shipping products, showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles, overcome obstacles, and deliver high-quality solutions to meet project deadlines and exceed client expectations in a fast-paced environment.
- Proactively identify opportunities for improvement within software development projects, demonstrating initiative to propose and implement innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, quality, and overall project success and V-Bat reliability.
- B.S., M.S, PhD degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline, such as Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
- Strong embedded software development experience in C/C++.
- Strong knowledge of embedded software, kernel development, BSPs or other systems software components.
- Good understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, and network protocols fundamentals.
- Experience producing high-quality technical documentation, including architecture, detailed designs, and test plans.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working on cutting-edge autonomous robotic systems.
- Proven background in thriving within fast-paced environments, particularly within startup or R&D settings.
- Demonstrated adaptability, agility, and the ability to innovate under pressure to meet dynamic project demands and drive successful outcomes.
- Real Time Operating System (RTOS) experience.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $166,410 - $249,616 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.
See all 84+ Software Engineer at Shield AI jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Software Engineer Jobs at Shield AI Jobs
Build clearance-ready credentials before applying
Shield AI's defense contracts often require engineers to obtain a U.S. security clearance. Prioritizing roles that don't mandate active clearance on day one gives visa holders a realistic entry point while you build your tenure.
Target autonomy and AI engineering teams specifically
Shield AI's core product lines center on autonomous flight and AI-driven decision systems. Aligning your resume and portfolio to computer vision, reinforcement learning, or embedded autonomy increases your relevance to their highest-priority hiring areas.
Search visa-sponsoring defense employers on Migrate Mate
Filter by aerospace and defense employers with a Software Engineer sponsorship history on Migrate Mate to identify roles where Shield AI is actively hiring international candidates, before the positions age out or close.
Clarify your OPT or CPT timeline during screening
F-1 students have a finite authorization window. During initial recruiter calls, confirm whether the role's projected start date aligns with your OPT start, since defense hiring cycles often run longer than typical software companies.
Verify E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer
Federal contractors like Shield AI are legally required to use E-Verify for employment eligibility verification. Confirming this before your start date means your work authorization documentation needs to be airtight and consistent across all forms.
Software Engineer at Shield AI jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Software Engineer at Shield AI JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Shield AI sponsor H-1B visas for Software Engineers?
Shield AI does not appear in H-1B sponsorship records as a common filer for Software Engineers based on publicly available DOL disclosure data. Their sponsored visa types for this function have included EB-2, EB-3, F-1 OPT, F-1 CPT, TN, and J-1. If H-1B sponsorship is your primary pathway, clarify this directly with their recruiting team during the offer process, since sponsorship decisions can also depend on business unit and role classification.
How do I apply for Software Engineer jobs at Shield AI?
Applications go through Shield AI's careers portal, where Software Engineer roles are listed by team and location. Many roles specify clearance eligibility requirements upfront, so filter accordingly if you're on a nonimmigrant visa. You can also browse Shield AI's open Software Engineer positions on Migrate Mate, which surfaces roles where the company has a sponsorship history, helping you prioritize applications more strategically.
Which visa types does Shield AI commonly sponsor for Software Engineers?
Shield AI's sponsorship activity for Software Engineers has included F-1 OPT and CPT for students in STEM fields, TN visas for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying engineering classifications, J-1 for research or training-track roles, and EB-2 and EB-3 for permanent residence. Each pathway has different employer obligations and timelines, so it's worth identifying which category fits your situation before you reach the offer stage.
What qualifications does Shield AI expect for Software Engineer roles?
Shield AI's Software Engineer postings typically require proficiency in C++ or Python, with many roles specifying experience in robotics frameworks, real-time systems, or machine learning infrastructure. Defense-sector work often adds an expectation that candidates are either already cleared or eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance, which generally requires lawful permanent residence or citizenship. International candidates on nonimmigrant visas are most competitive for roles that don't list active clearance as a hard requirement.
How do I navigate the hiring timeline at Shield AI as a visa holder?
Defense company hiring cycles tend to run longer than commercial software firms, often six to twelve weeks from application to offer. If you're on F-1 OPT, factor in your authorization end date and the three-month STEM OPT extension window. USCIS H-1B cap filing happens once a year in March for an October 1 start, so if your OPT expires before then, you'll need either a cap-exempt pathway or a bridge strategy to maintain status through the transition.
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