Networking & OS Engineering Manager (R6630)

f7d8749a-72d6-407c-bf98-292ea630c73a•Dallas, TX

About The Position

Shield AI is hiring an Engineering Manager (Networking & OS) for its V-BAT Unmanned Aerial System. The manager will lead a team designing, implementing, and optimizing network infrastructure that enables reliable, secure, and efficient communications among air and ground devices in challenging and contested environments, including GNSS-denied airspace. This is a hands-on leadership role, with approximately 50% of time spent managing and developing the team and 50% making direct technical contributions. The role pairs engineering judgment with clear communication and cross-functional collaboration to translate mission needs into reliable, production-ready networking and operating-system capabilities. The position involves leading network and embedded Linux engineering, delivering bandwidth-optimized, low-latency communications over lossy or constrained radio and satellite links, and developing resilient network topologies and software. The manager works closely with software and hardware engineers, field operators, and program stakeholders, and validates end-to-end performance in hardware-in-the-loop labs and flight-test environments. They establish engineering standards for code quality, testing, reliability, and delivery while balancing immediate execution with long-term architecture and team development.

Requirements

At least 8 years developing network or operating-system software for complex, safety-critical, or mission-critical systems.
At least 3 years leading software engineering teams, including planning, execution, coaching, and performance management.
BS or MS in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, including explaining complex technical concepts and building alignment across disciplines.
Ability to navigate competing priorities and resolve technical tradeoffs with cross-functional stakeholders.
Strong proficiency developing production-grade software in C, C++, or Python within Linux environments.
Track record of shipping software that interacts directly with the Linux OS networking stack.
Deep understanding of Linux networking and Layer 2 / Layer 3 fundamentals, including routing and VLANs.
Experience with netlink, iptables/nftables, TUN/TAP interfaces, network namespaces, socket programming, and VPN or tunneling mechanisms.
Proven ability to lead reliable software delivery through development, integration, and deployment.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting network degradation in lossy, high-latency, or bandwidth-constrained environments.
Proficiency using network diagnostic tools such as tcpdump, Wireshark, iproute2, and iperf.
Ability to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing embedded Linux networking applications using build systems such as Yocto or OS-level customization tools.
Experience working with RF and other hardware engineers to design network protocols and topologies tailored to a novel radio network design.
Experience architecting network solutions for robotics, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, or edge-computing hardware.
Familiarity with network security, public key infrastructure (PKI), and cryptographic tunnels in embedded systems.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of networking and OS engineers, including planning, prioritization, execution, coaching, and performance management.
Provide upward status updates on progress, risks, dependencies, and delivery commitments.
Deliver bandwidth-optimized, low-latency communications over lossy or constrained radio and satellite links using traffic management, device isolation, and multi-link failover.
Develop resilient Layer 2 and Layer 3 network topologies and embedded Linux networking capabilities, including custom routing, TUN/TAP interfaces, user-space tunnels, and socket-level applications.
Partner with software engineers, hardware engineers, field operators, and program stakeholders to align priorities, resolve technical tradeoffs, and validate end-to-end performance.
Validate system performance in hardware-in-the-loop labs and flight-test environments.
Establish and uphold engineering standards for code quality, testing, reliability, and delivery.
Communicate technical decisions clearly and balance near-term execution with long-term architecture and team development.
Make direct technical contributions, spending approximately 50% of time on hands-on work.