Staff Engineer, C++ Systems Engineer (R3636)
Shield AI
Software Engineering
Washington, DC, USA
Posted on Aug 2, 2025
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Boston, Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn,X, YouTubeand Instagram.
Job Description:
This role is for a seasoned C++ generalist and systems integrator who thrives at the intersection of software, infrastructure, and integration. You’ll lead complex technical efforts across distributed systems and simulation environments, with minimal oversight. Your work will shape foundational capabilities that power autonomy, simulation, and real-time system interfaces across multiple platforms.
What you'll do:
- Architect and implement high-performance C++ and Python systems across cross-platform environments.
- Lead the design and integration of distributed systems, simulation tools, and third-party hardware/software.
- Define and enforce technical direction, design patterns, and integration practices across projects.
- Guide teams in building robust messaging and API layers (e.g., gRPC, REST, ZeroMQ) that bridge critical system components.
- Own the evolution and support of CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI, Docker, Conan, and CMake.
- Lead debugging and optimization of real-time and multi-threaded systems across a range of domains.
- Drive end-to-end integration efforts, including planning, implementation, and verification across simulation and operational systems.
- Serve as a force multiplier by mentoring other engineers and contributing to shared tooling and process improvements.
- Evaluate and incorporate new technologies that improve system performance, stability, and developer efficiency.
Required qualifications:
- Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 5 years and a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
- Advanced experience designing and maintaining large C++ systems, with fluency in C++14/17/20 and comfort navigating legacy C++98/03 codebases.
- Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments, including system-level development and debugging tools.
- Strong systems integration background with practical experience in distributed systems, real-time processing, and hardware/software interfaces.
- Significant experience with CI/CD systems, containerization (e.g., Docker), and build tooling (e.g., CMake, Conan).
- Proficiency in Python and familiarity with other scripting and automation tools.
- Deep knowledge of Linux environments (Windows experience is a bonus).
- Demonstrated success leading efforts involving 10+ contributors, including technical planning and mentorship.
- Strong understanding of networking concepts and communication protocols.
- Active SECRET clearance.
Preferred qualifications:
- Real-time or distributed simulation experience (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS, or similar).
- Familiarity with message-passing infrastructure and web-service technologies like gRPC, REST APIs, and message queues.
- Familiarity with open standards like UCI and OMS, and an understanding of data buses and interface protocols common in avionics and aircraft systems.
- Experience integrating simulation with autonomy frameworks or real-time operators.
- Experience developing and integrating with modeling or analysis pipelines.
- Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.
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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.
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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.