Full-Time

Software Engineer 1

Hardware Test

Posted on 10/22/2025

Shield AI

Shield AI

1,001-5,000 employees

Develops AI-powered autonomous defense drone systems

Compensation Overview

$83k - $124.5k/yr

Dallas, TX, USA

In Person

Category
Software Engineering (1)
Required Skills
Bash
Python
Grafana
Docker
Terraform
Ansible
REST APIs
Linux/Unix
Requirements
  • 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.
Responsibilities
  • Architect, design, and develop software drivers and interfaces in Python for hardware systems, including Printed Circuit Board Assemblies, 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.
Desired Qualifications
  • Comfort working with hardware, as the testcases you write will interface with circuit boards, motors, and sensors.
  • Mastery of fundamental engineering concepts including Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, 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.

Shield AI builds AI-powered autonomous systems for defense, focusing on drones and related technologies that can operate without GPS or communications. Its products include autonomous drones and AI software that can sense, plan, and act in complex environments to support military operations while keeping people safe. The company differentiates itself through defense-grade autonomy capabilities, the ability to operate in GPS-denied areas, and a strategic footprint that includes acquisitions (e.g., Martin UAV) and prime roles on large government contracts like the EWAAC program. Its goal is to improve safety and mission effectiveness for defense users by delivering reliable, scalable autonomous systems under government contracts and partnerships.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Late Stage VC

Total Funding

$3.3B

Headquarters

San Diego, California

Founded

2015

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • India selected V-BAT and Hivemind in January 2026, unlocking localization-driven procurement.
  • The U.S. Air Force chose Hivemind for Collaborative Combat Aircraft in 2026.
  • Pentagon LUCAS integration expands Shield AI into low-cost swarm warfare software.

What critics are saying

  • Anduril already competes for the same autonomy contracts and procurement officers.
  • X-BAT development will consume capital for years before proving operational viability.
  • U.S. defense budget delays or program cancellations quickly disrupt Shield AI revenue.

What makes Shield AI unique

  • Hivemind is deployed in combat and powers aircraft, drones, and crewed systems.
  • Aechelon acquisition adds synthetic training and validation for faster autonomy iteration.
  • Shield AI spans software, V-BAT hardware, and X-BAT fighter-drone ambitions.

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Your Connections

People at Shield AI who can refer or advise you

Benefits

Medical Insurance Coverage

Long Term Disability Insurance

Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA

Employee Assistance Program

Subsidized Gym Membership

Pet Insurance

Competitive Compensation

Retirement Services

Life Insurance

Parental Leave

Bereavement Support

Flexible Work Hours

PTO

Paid Holidays

Commuter Benefits

Relaxed Dress Code

Yearly Swag Items

Unlimited Snacks

Bottomless Beverages

Annual Celebrations

Work From Home Benefits

Standing Desks and Widescreen Monitors

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-1%

1 year growth

-1%

2 year growth

-2%
Halldale Group
Apr 8th, 2026
$1.5B raise backs AI autonomy and simulation acquisition.

$1.5B raise backs AI autonomy and simulation acquisition. 8 April 2026 Shield AI has announced $1.5 billion in Series G funding, part of which will go towards acquiring Aechelon Technology Inc, a defence software company that specialises in high-fidelity simulation, physics-based sensors and synthetic reality. Aechelon's technology creates the virtual environments used by the U.S. military and allies to train aircrew and test aircraft and autonomous systems before live flight, including support for the Pentagon's Joint Simulation Environment (JSE). Shield AI develops Hivemind, an AI autonomy software that operates military vehicles including F-16s, jet-powered UAVs and helicopters. By acquiring Aechelon, Shield AI brings simulation capability in-house to train and refine Hivemind more effectively. "The acquisition of Aechelon will accelerate the work we are doing with Hivemind, particularly in simulation like the Department of War's JSE," said Shield AI CEO Gary Steele. "It will also help advance our Hivemind Foundation Model for Defense, which is trained in simulation and continuously refined through real-world operations." Hivemind was recently selected by the U.S. Air Force as a mission autonomy provider for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The $1.5 billion Series G values Shield AI at $12.7 billion and is led by Advent International, co-led by JPMorganChase's Security and Resiliency Initiative, with participation from Snowpoint Ventures, InnovationX and Riot Ventures. Funds managed by Blackstone are separately providing $500 million in preferred equity financing, plus a $250 million delayed draw facility. The Aechelon acquisition is expected to close following regulatory approvals. FREE NEWSLETTERS The world's leading authority of safety training news! Civil Aviation Training - Military Simulation & Training - Safety Critical Training

Defense Daily
Mar 26th, 2026
Shield AI raises $2 billion; acquiring software simulation company Aechelon to strengthen AI pilot.

Shield AI raises $2 billion; acquiring software simulation company Aechelon to strengthen AI pilot. Thursday, March 26th, 2026 Shield AI on Thursday said it has raised $2 billion in new funding, including a $1.5 billion Series G round to buy defense software firm Aechelon and continue development of Shield AI's new jet fighter drone. The Series G round was co-led by the global private equity firm Advent International and the Strategic Investment Group of JPMorganChase. Blackstone is also investing $500 million of preferred equity financing, bringing Shield AI's total raise to $2 billion. X-BAT is Shield AI's vertical... Not a subscriber or registered user yet? Please contact us at [email protected] or call us at 888-707-5814 (Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET.), to start a free trial, get pricing information, order a reprint, or post an article link on your website.

Alternatives Watch
Mar 26th, 2026
Shield AI draws $2bn in funding as PE sharpens its focus on defensetech.

Shield AI draws $2bn in funding as PE sharpens its focus on defensetech. Private equity firms are deepening their bets on the defense technology sector, with a cluster of deals this week underscoring the sector's pull on institutional capital. Advent International has committed up to $1 billion to invest in defense technology companies, starting with a co-lead role in Shield AI's $1.5 billion Series G funding round. Separately, [...] Get the whole story. AW Monthly $39 / Month - Instantly unlock all new and archived articles - Access to AW Research articles & data - Daily, weekly and monthly e-mail newsletters $390 / Year - Everything in Monthly at a 20% discount - Access to AW Research data downloads and annual Manager/Investor Compendiums - Discounts on advertisement rates

Dealroom.co
Mar 26th, 2026
Shield AI company information, funding & investors

Shield AI, builds self-driving technology that enables swarms of unmanned systems to operate on the edge without gps, communications, or remote pilots. Here you'll find information about their funding, investors and team.

Shield AI
Mar 26th, 2026
Shield AI to acquire software simulation company Aechelon and raise $2B at $12.7B valuation

SAN DIEGO – March 26, 2026 – Shield AI today announced it is raising $1.5 billion in Series G funding at a $12.7 billion post-money valuation and $500 million in fixed-return preferred equity financing. The Series G is led by Advent International and co-led by the Strategic Investment Group of JPMorganChase’s Security and Resiliency Initiative, […]

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