Engineer I, Software Integration (R6214) - New Grad

Shield AI is hiring an Engineer I, Software Integration (R6214) - New Grad in Washington DC, United States. It pays $79k-$110k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Shield AI.

Level's read on this job

Works on AI ●●●○ is how Level rates this role: the daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
The posting mentions C, Python and Linux among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a junior role.
Shield AI has 651 other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Develop C++ software interfaces and integration frameworks to connect autonomy software with vehicle systems and sensors.

cpythonlinuxmavlink

software-integrationsystems-engineeringdebuggingnetworking

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

The Systems & Platform Integration team serves as the engineering bridge between Hivemind autonomy and operational platforms across Shield AI’s Expeditionary and Emerging Operations portfolio. Our mission is to rapidly enable new platform adoption by developing the software interfaces, configurations, and integration frameworks required to connect autonomy with vehicle systems, sensors, payloads, mission computers, and communications systems.

As a Software Integration Engineer (L1), you will work alongside experienced engineers to develop the software interfaces that connect Hivemind with real-world platforms. You will gain hands-on experience writing C++ integration software, working with device and vehicle interfaces, configuring Linux-based mission computers, and troubleshooting data flow across distributed systems. You will support integration and validation activities across Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL), lab, and field environments.

What you'll do:

Develop C++ software interfaces between Hivemind and sensors, flight controllers, payloads, radios, and vehicle systems.
Build and maintain interface blocks, platform adapters, and middleware components.
Integrate data from sensors and vehicle systems into autonomy software.
Implement and debug communication interfaces using protocols such as MAVLink, serial, TCP/UDP, and multicast.
Configure and deploy software on Linux-based mission computers.
Support SIL, HIL, VIL, and lab integration testing.
Develop Python scripts and tools for testing, configuration, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
Debug issues involving software interfaces, data formats, timing, networking, configuration, and system behavior.
Work with autonomy, systems, test, and flight teams to integrate and validate software on new platforms.

Required qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
Programming experience in C++ through coursework, projects, research, or student teams.
Familiarity with Linux and basic software debugging.
Understanding of basic programming concepts such as classes, data structures, interfaces, and object-oriented programming.
Interest in robotics, embedded software, distributed systems, autonomy, or aerospace systems.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience with robotics or engineering teams such as FIRST Robotics.
Familiarity with ROS/ROS 2, ArduPilot, PX4, MAVLink, or similar frameworks and protocols.
Experience with CMake, Git, Docker, or other C++ development tools.
Familiarity with serial, CAN, TCP/UDP, multicast, or other communication interfaces.
Experience working with sensors, flight controllers, embedded systems, or mission computers.
Coursework or projects involving robotics, embedded systems, networking, controls, or autonomous systems.
Python experience for scripting, testing, or data analysis.

#LI-LD1 #LA
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.

How we rate this

Engineer I, Software Integration (R6214) - New Grad at Shield AI rates 65 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Engineer I, Software Integration (R6214) - New Grad is an open job at Shield AI.
Level rates this role AI Level 3 of 4: Works on AI.
The listed salary is $79k-$110k a year.
The role is based in Washington, D.C..
The job was posted on October 9, 2026.
Seniority: junior.
Applications are handled by Shield AI. Apply on Shield AI

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Software IntegrationSystems EngineeringDebuggingNetworkingCPythonLinuxMavlink

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where software integration was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where systems engineering was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where debugging was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where networking was part of your work. What did you do?
Walk me through how you've used C in your day-to-day work.

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Software Integration, Systems Engineering, Debugging, Networking, and C. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project. This role expects it to be a running habit.

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