Networking & OS Engineering Manager (R6630)

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

About The Position

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-technology company focused on protecting 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 company operates offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, and its technology supports operations worldwide. As an Engineering Manager (Networking & OS) on V-BAT, you will lead a team designing, implementing, and optimizing network infrastructure for an unmanned aerial system deployed in challenging environments. V-BAT operates in contested, GNSS-denied airspace, so its network must provide highly reliable, secure, and efficient communications among air and ground devices. This hands-on leadership role is divided approximately equally between managing and developing the team and making direct technical contributions. You will apply engineering judgment, communicate clearly, and collaborate across functions to turn mission needs into reliable, production-ready networking and operating-system capabilities.

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 and 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 with network diagnostic tools such as tcpdump, Wireshark, iproute2, and iperf.
Ability to obtain 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 and hardware engineers, field operators, and program stakeholders to align priorities, resolve technical tradeoffs, and validate end-to-end 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.