Platform Software Engineer, APIs & Infrastructure (R2549)

About Shield AI

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its flagship autonomy software, Hivemind, powers aircraft, drones, and other platforms, enabling complex missions with high reliability in contested environments. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and internationally, Shield AI’s products actively support U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn,Twitter, and Instagram.

Hivemind Forge is the AI factory of Shield AI, providing the tools, infrastructure, and data engineering platform to accelerate the development of cutting-edge autonomy. Forge encompasses an SDK, CLI, and web application, empowering engineers to develop, test, and deploy autonomous systems efficiently. By supporting diverse environments - including cloud, on-premises, and local developer setups - Forge enables seamless innovation and user-friendly experiences for autonomy engineers worldwide.

As a Platform Software Engineer on the Hivemind Forge team, you will shape the infrastructure and tools enabling the development of advanced autonomy systems. You will contribute to the design of intuitive web applications, robust APIs, and developer-friendly SDKs that empower autonomy engineers to create, refine, and deploy Hivemind’s capabilities in both simulated and real-world environments. We seek engineers with a passion for building scalable, high-performance solutions and the technical expertise to deliver exceptional user experiences.

What You'll Do:

• Design and implement robust data models and database architectures to support distributed systems. 
• Develop scalable backend services and APIs to power Forge’s infrastructure and tooling. 
• Build systems for virtualization, containerization, and orchestration, ensuring optimal performance across cloud, on-premises, and local environments. 
• Architect and deploy resilient infrastructure for managing high-throughput data pipelines and complex simulation workloads. 
• Design and implement networked systems, integrating advanced protocols and middleware to enable seamless communication across autonomous agents and backend systems. 
• Contribute to tools and infrastructure that support secure, efficient deployment of Forge on varied hardware platforms. 
• Create and maintain clear, detailed documentation for internal and external users of Forge’s platform capabilities. 

Required Qualifications:

• 8-15 + years of experience designing and delivering production-grade, scalable software systems. 
• Advanced proficiency with Golang and Python for systems programming and backend development. 
• 3+ years of experience with cloud computing platforms, container orchestration, and virtualization technologies (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker, VMware). 
• Expertise in designing and optimizing relational databases, data models, and high-throughput pipelines. 
• Strong understanding of network protocols (e.g., UDP, TCP) and hands-on experience with building distributed networked applications. 
• Familiarity with systems programming concepts such as concurrency, performance optimization, and resource management. 
• Experience deploying secure, reliable infrastructure in hybrid cloud and on-premises environments. 
• BS/MS in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience. 
• Proven ability to work collaboratively, mentor team members, and deliver results in fast-paced, mission-driven environments. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Helm charts and automated infrastructure deployment tools. 
• Familiarity with tools for low-level network analysis and debugging, such as Wireshark or Serf. 
• Knowledge of CUE for configuration management and schema validation. 
• Experience with virtualization platforms and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments. 
• Background in aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated industry with a focus on secure and compliant software practices. 
• Experience building a productionized software development kit (SDK) 
• Proficiency in additional systems-level programming languages such as C++ or Rust. 
• Hands-on experience with distributed systems, event-driven architectures, and canary deployments. 

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Total package details for U.S. based positions:

- Regular employee positions: Salary within range listed above + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

- Temporary employee positions: Hourly within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days

of employment)

- Interns/Military Fellows/Part-time not eligible for bonus, benefits or equity

Total package details for International positions which are roles based outside of the United States (where applicable):

- International premium, hardship differential, cost of living differential, living quarters allowance, foreign service transfer

allowance, equity, international benefits, visa assistance, and relocation assistance.

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.

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.