Engineer I, Software - Perception - New Grad - 6135

Shield AI is hiring an Engineer I, Software - Perception - New Grad - 6135 in Washington DC, United States. It pays $77k-$211k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Shield AI.

Level's read on this job

On Level's scale, this role is Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
The posting mentions PyTorch and computer vision among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a junior role.
Shield AI has 659 other open roles on Level.
Posted within the past two weeks.

AI in this role

PyTorch

computer-vision

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.

The HMS Perception team builds software that helps autonomous systems understand the world using sensor data, computer vision, tracking, sensor fusion, and AI/ML. Our work moves from data and algorithms through simulation, lab testing, and fielded systems.

As an entry-level engineer, you will develop and validate well-defined perception features, tools, or tests alongside experienced engineers. This full-time role builds on coursework or internship experience; you will complete assigned changes and document results with regular guidance rather than own a perception subsystem end to end.

What you'll do:
* Implement small, well-defined C++ changes to perception software, data processing, evaluation tools, or tests.
* Help analyze camera, EO/IR, radar, IMU, GPS, or simulated sensor data using established workflows.
* Run tests and repeatable experiments; investigate data-quality and software failures with guidance.
* Support object detection, tracking, sensor fusion, localization, or multimodal AI/ML evaluation as assigned.
* Document assumptions, metrics, results, and reproducible setup steps; participate in code and design reviews.
* Collaborate with perception, autonomy, platform, simulation, and test engineers.

We are seeking Autonomous Software Engineers for full-time roles starting in 2027! This is a paid, in-person, full-time position for students graduating during the 2026-2027 academic year. We are now reviewing applications for positions starting after graduation in 2027.

Required Qualifications

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, graduating between December 2026 and August 2027.
Foundational C++ or Python programming demonstrated through coursework, projects, research, internships, or work experience.
Coursework or project exposure to computer vision, machine learning, robotics, estimation, sensor fusion, or related work.
Familiarity with Linux, Git, debugging, and basic software-development or data-analysis workflows.
Ability to communicate findings, ask questions, and improve work through feedback.
Must be able to work in-person full-time.
Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with OpenCV, PyTorch, ROS, or similar perception or robotics tools.
Projects involving image/video processing, tracking, multimodal data, coordinate transformations, or sensor calibration.
Experience with automated tests, simulation, visualization, or evaluation workflows.

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 - Perception - New Grad - 6135 at Shield AI rates 22 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● 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 - Perception - New Grad - 6135 is an open job at Shield AI.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed salary is $77k-$211k a year.
The role is based in Washington, D.C..
The job was posted on October 27, 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

Computer visionPyTorch

Questions you could be asked

Walk me through a computer vision problem you solved, from raw data to a deployed model.
Walk me through how you've used PyTorch in your day-to-day work.

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Computer vision and PyTorch. 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.

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