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Perception Software Engineer (R5911)

Shield AISan Diego, CaliforniaPilot
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Salary
Not listed
Job type
Full Time Employee
Experience
Senior
Posted
9 Sept 2026
Status
Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

Shield AI is hiring a Staff Perception Software Engineer in San Diego, California, to build perception capabilities for autonomous systems. This full-time hybrid position is well-suited for an experienced developer specializing in C++ and computer vision algorithms for robotics.

Role Overview

The Perception Software Engineer joins the Detection, Tracking, and Mapping (DTM) team to create software that helps autonomous systems understand motion, objects, and terrain across ground, maritime, and air domains. The role focuses on full-stack perception product development, taking algorithms and libraries through testing, integration, and release within the Hivemind SDK. The position is based at the company headquarters in San Diego with a hybrid schedule requiring three days per week in the office.

Key Responsibilities

Design and implement production perception software using modern C++ with a focus on correctness, performance, interfaces, and test coverage.
Own feature lifecycles from requirements and algorithm development to Pilot runtime integration, SDK validation, and documentation.
Apply technical judgment in object tracking, object detection, computer vision, image processing, sensor modeling, mapping, or multi-sensor fusion.
Work across adjacent layers including timing, coordinate frames, data contracts, simulation, replay, embedded deployment, and configuration.
Diagnose complex system behaviors through source code, logs, simulation, and sensor data to drive root cause analysis and regression coverage.
Participate in code and design reviews, communicate tradeoffs, mentor engineers, and improve engineering practices.
Utilize modern AI-assisted engineering tools while maintaining accountability for accuracy, security, and test coverage.
Evaluate foundation model capabilities to strengthen detection, tracking, and simulation workflows.

Requirements

Professional experience developing production C++ software for autonomy, robotics, perception, simulation, or real-time systems.
Deep background in object tracking, object detection, computer vision, image processing, sensor modeling, sensor fusion, mapping, or estimation.
Demonstrated ability to deliver maintainable software with clear interfaces, documentation, tests, and system integration beyond basic prototypes.
Strong debugging and systems-thinking skills across algorithms, software architecture, data contracts, and compute behavior.
Proficiency with Python tools for experimentation, technical analysis, visualization, or verification.
Experience collaborating across teams, managing technical ambiguity, and communicating designs clearly.
Experience using or adopting modern AI-assisted development tools with disciplined human validation.

Nice to Have

Experience with autonomous aircraft, maritime systems, ground robots, automotive systems, or defense applications.
Background in multi-target tracking, data association, angle-only tracking, or multi-sensor fusion.
Familiarity with EO/IR imagery, video pipelines, radar, LiDAR, GNSS/INS, camera models, and time-aligned sensor data.
Experience with embedded Linux, edge compute, GPU compute, CUDA, TensorRT, NVIDIA Jetson, or Qualcomm environments.
Familiarity with simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, data replay, and performance analyzers.
Knowledge of CMake, Nix, Conan, GitLab CI, or comparable build and CI systems.
Practical familiarity with vision foundation models and vision-language models for robotics.

Skills and Tools

C++
Python
CUDA
TensorRT
CMake
Nix
Conan
GitLab CI
NVIDIA Jetson
Linux

Salary and Benefits

Compensation includes pay within the listed range, bonus, equity, and benefits.

About the Company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its technology portfolio features Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies supporting operations worldwide with offices across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply on the official company careers page.

Skills and tech stack

C++PythonCUDATensorRTCMakeNixConanGitLab CINVIDIA JetsonLinuxLiDARGNSS/INSComputer Vision

Questions candidates ask

What is the location and work arrangement for this role?

The role is hybrid and based at the company headquarters in San Diego, California, with a baseline requirement of three days per week in the office. Candidates outside San Diego who are willing to relocate may also apply.

What primary programming language is used in this position?

The position requires developing production software in modern C++, alongside proficiency in Python for technical analysis, experimentation, and verification.

What domain does the Perception Software Engineer work within?

The engineer works within the Hivemind Detection, Tracking, and Mapping (DTM) team to develop perception capabilities for air, maritime, and ground autonomous systems.

What benefits are included with the position?

Full-time regular employees receive pay within the listed range, a bonus, equity, and a benefits package.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official Shield AI careers page.

Apply on company site