Shield AI · 13 hours ago
Staff Engineer, Software Integration (R4482)
San Diego, California
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$150K/yr - $220K/yr
7+ years expShield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. The Staff Engineer will develop expertise in the AI-powered autonomy stack, integrate new capabilities, and ensure seamless interoperability between components in the autonomy platform.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Autonomous VehiclesDronesMachine LearningNational Security
Responsibilities
Become a systems integration expert for autonomous robotics: Develop deep expertise in our AI-powered autonomy stack
Learn to configure, deploy, and integrate multi-agent systems across simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and flight platforms
Understand the full system end-to-end—from sensor inputs to autonomous behaviors
Integrate new capabilities into the autonomy stack: Collaborate cross-functionally with development teams to bring autonomy algorithms, perception pipelines, middleware, and platform interfaces into the integrated product. Ensure seamless interoperability between components
Enable platform bring-up and validation: Lead the integration of autonomy software onto new robotic hardware platforms
Configure sensor drivers, communication interfaces, and platform adapters to enable full autonomy stack functionality on prototype and production vehicles
Develop integration tooling & infrastructure: Architect and implement integration frameworks, deployment scripts, and configuration management tools that streamline bringing new capabilities into Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and flight environments
Support cross-platform compatibility: Work with other integration engineers to ensure the autonomy stack operates reliably across all supported platforms, operating systems, and deployment configurations. Identify and resolve integration issues across system boundaries
Analyze system behavior and root-cause issues: Evaluate system logs, telemetry, and rosbag data to diagnose integration defects. Collaborate with developers to isolate issues to specific subsystems and drive resolution. Create analysis tooling to accelerate debugging
Optimize integration workflows and CI/CD: Partner with DevOps teams to streamline integration pipelines, reduce build-to-deploy cycle times, and ensure robust continuous integration of new features. Define integration checkpoints and criteria for release readiness
Validate system requirements and interface contracts: Work with engineers to ensure integrated capabilities meet product requirements and interface specifications. Assist in developing tooling to verify end-to-end system compliance and traceability
Qualification
Required
Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree in CS, Comp Eng, Robotics, or a related field; or 6 years and a master's degree; or 4 years with a PhD
Proficiency in programming languages including Python or C++
Experience with autonomous systems or server applications or middleware
Demonstrated experience designing integration workflows, communicating system dependencies, and triaging and reporting integration defects across subsystem boundaries
Proficiency with simulation tools and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments
Strong expertise with CI/CD pipelines
Strong problem-solving skills and a proven track record of delivering high-quality software solutions
Excellent communication skills, capable of collaborating effectively across various teams and presenting to customers or technical leadership
Preferred
Demonstrated experience building complex systems with a strong understanding of software architecture and design principles
Experience with hardware or embedded systems
Expert knowledge of Python
Experience with ROS
Experience with white box testing
Familiarity with networking, operating-systems, and radio communications
Experience designing automated tooling for testing for GUI applications
Experience designing automated tooling for testing server applications
Benefits
Bonus
Benefits
Equity
Temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Company
Shield AI
Shield AI is a deep-tech company that focuses on developing AI-powered systems to enhance the safety of service members and civilians.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Shield AI has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (3)
2024 (3)
2021 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.31BKey Investors
Hercules CapitalUS Innovative Technology FundSnowpoint Ventures
2025-03-06Series F· $240M
2023-12-29Debt Financing· $200M
2023-10-31Series F· $300M
Leadership Team
Gary Steele
Chief Executive Officer
Brandon Tseng
Co-Founder
Recent News
2026-01-24
Morningstar.com
2026-01-19
Dynamic Business
2026-01-19
Company data provided by crunchbase