Engineer I, Software - Perception - New Grad - 6135

Shield AI•Washington, DC

13d•$77,200 - $211,200•Onsite

About The Position

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-technology company whose mission is to protect 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. The HMS Perception team develops software that enables autonomous systems to understand the world using sensor data, computer vision, tracking, sensor fusion, and AI/ML. Its work spans data and algorithms, simulation, lab testing, and fielded systems. In this entry-level role, you will develop and validate well-defined perception features, tools, or tests alongside experienced engineers. The full-time position 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. The position is paid and in person, for students graduating during the 2026–2027 academic year, with a start after graduation in 2027.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, with graduation 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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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, and 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.