Full-Time
Senior Engineer
Software
Posted on 10/31/2025
Shield AI
1,001-5,000 employees
Develops AI-powered autonomous defense drone systems
Compensation Overview
$117.7k - $176.6k/yr
Washington, DC, USA
In Person
On-site in Washington, DC; travel up to one week per quarter.
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance, Canada Citizenship, Canada Top Secret Clearance, UK Citizenship, UK Top Secret Clearance Required
 AI & Machine Learning (2) |
|---|
| , |
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience.
- Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 4 years and a Master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
- Ability to develop, benchmark, debug, and deploy software-based algorithms.
- Demonstrated problem solving skills by applying a scientific approach.
- Experience with Python, C++, and/or similar languages.
- Experience working on projects with 10+ contributors.
- Ability to support travel (expected frequency no more than one week per quarter) for customer events and flight tests
- Offers fast, efficient, effective problem-solving approaches.
- Exceptional collaborator and communicator.
- Comfort within Linux environments.
- Hard-working, trustworthy teammate.
- Exhibits holding themselves and others to high standards.
- Experience in a collaborative development environment, focused on continuous integration/delivery & test-driven development.
- Strong knowledge of modern software engineering best practices.
- Demonstrated record of working hard, strong communication skills, being a trustworthy teammate, and being kind to others.
- Strong organizational skills.
- As a Software Engineer on this team, you will contribute to teams at the intersection of artificial intelligence, task & motion planning, and controls.
- You will work closely with talented engineers to architect solutions, set standards for software engineering, drive strategic technical improvements, and mentor other engineers.
- Write Python and C++ software to help develop tooling and automated testing and analysis for autonomy solutions.
- Work with Subject Matter Experts to understand the customer demand and implement software solutions that meet their needs.
- Collaborate with Systems and Test engineers to develop fully tested, integrated solutions.
- Experience with Docker or similar containerization technologies.
- Experience with modern infrastructure technologies (Kubernetes, CI/CD).
- Experience with web-service technologies like gRPC, REST APIs, message queues (ActiveMQ, ZeroMQ), etc.
- Experience with Python data analysis tooling like Pandas, NumPy, Dagster, etc.
- Familiarity with C++ tooling like CMake and Conan.
- Experience with Reinforcement Learning and other Machine Learning techniques.
- Understanding of robotics technologies related to autonomous behavior development e.g. task allocation or planning.
- Understanding/Experience with unmanned system technologies and accompanying algorithms (specifically air domain).
- Active SECRET clearance.
- Experience with UCI and OMS Standards.
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's Take
What believers are saying
- CCA program deployment 2027–2028 unlocks $50B+ autonomous fighter market opportunity.
- Hivemind Foundation Model trained on classified JSE data accelerates competitive moat.
- V-BAT and Nova platforms generating steady revenue from U.S. and allied operations.
What critics are saying
- Aechelon integration failure delays Hivemind 12–24 months, ceding market to Palantir.
- F-16 airworthiness certification delays push CCA deployment beyond 2028 window.
- CFIUS blocks Aechelon acquisition, forcing 18–24 month in-house simulation rebuild.
What makes Shield AI unique
- Hivemind is only combat-deployed AI pilot since 2018 across multiple platforms.
- Aechelon acquisition integrates high-fidelity simulation with autonomy software in-house.
- Selected as mission autonomy provider for U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
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
6 month growth
↓ -2%1 year growth
↓ -1%2 year growth
↓ -2%$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
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.
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
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.
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, […]