Software Engineer, Networking & OS (R5488)

Shield AI

Dallas, TX

On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior network engineers with aerospace or defense experience who can design secure, high-performance systems for real-time applications.

Best fit for

Senior network engineers with experience in aerospace or autonomous systems and real-time networking.
— “Experience developing networks for aerospace or autonomous systems.”
Candidates with a background in deploying and maintaining Linux distributions using Yocto.
— “Experience customizing, deploying, and maintaining Linux distributions created with Yocto on various hardware platforms.”
Individuals who have successfully shipped products and managed complex development cycles.
— “Proven track record of successfully shipping products, showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles...”

Things to consider

Background checks and reference verification are required prior to employment.
— “All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.”
The role is not open to military fellows or part-time employees for benefits.
— “Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.”

How to stand out

Highlight experience with real-time network systems and mission-critical performance optimization.
— “Proven experience in designing, implementing, and deploying network systems which support real time applications.”
Emphasize hands-on work with routing and switching protocols like BGP, OSPF, and IPSEC.
— “Knowledge of and experience with routing and switching concepts and protocols, such as DNS, DHCP, GRE, IPSEC...”
Showcase expertise in network simulation and analysis tools through specific project examples.
— “Proficiency in network simulation and analysis tools.”
Demonstrate ability to work in cross-functional teams with clear, user-focused outcomes.
— “ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and design solutions which delight end users.”
Include experience with C, C++, or Python in software development for networking equipment.
— “Experience developing C, C++, and/or Python software.”

Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

designed and implemented network systems
optimized network performance
developed software for networking equipment
collaborated with cross-functional teams
conducted testing and validation

Typical background

network engineeringsoftware developmentnetwork security

Skills & requirements

Required

Network-architectureNetwork-protocolsRouting-switchingNetwork-securityLinuxScriptingNetwork-simulationNetwork-analysisNetwork-programmingReal-time-applicationsNetwork-optimizationCross-functional-collaborationTesting-validation

Preferred

Aerospace-networksAutonomous-systemsNetwork-security-expertiseLinux-customizationYocto-linux

Stack & domain

NetworkingLinuxCC++PythonCommunicationDefense-techAerospaceAutonomous Systems

About the role

Original posting from Shield AI via Lever

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of 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. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
As a Software Engineer (Networking & OS) on V-BAT, you will be instrumental in designing, implementing, and optimizing the network infrastructure for our Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) which is deployed in some of the most challenging environments worldwide. V-BAT is designed to operate in contested, GNSS-denied airspace, and our network must maintain highly reliable, secure, and efficient communication between all air and ground devices.
What you'll do::
Design and build custom, resilient Layer 2 / Layer 3 network topologies optimized specifically for V-BAT mission profiles, focusing on device isolation, dynamic traffic management, and transmitting traffic across multiple links.
Implement networking features directly on embedded Linux operating systems, including custom routing, TUN/TAP interfaces, user-space tunnels, and socket-level applications.
Work backward from operator capabilities to build bandwidth-optimized, low-latency communication paths over lossy or constrained radio and satellite links.
Write clean, production-grade C, C++, or Python code to build things like software-defined network interfaces, traffic shaping policies, and link failover mechanisms.
Partner with software engineers, hardware engineers, and field operators to validate end-to-end network performance in both hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) labs and flight test environments.
Required qualifications::
Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, or Master’s with 4+ years, or PhD with 2+ years.
Strong proficiency writing software in C, C++, or Python in a Linux environment, with a track record of shipping software that interacts directly with the OS networking stack.
Deep understanding of Linux networking fundamentals (netlink, IP route/tables, iptables/nftables, TUN/TAP interfaces, Linux network namespaces, and socket programming).
Solid grasp of Layer 2 and Layer 3 network fundamentals, custom routing protocols, VLAN tagging, QoS/traffic management, and VPN/tunneling mechanisms (e.g., OpenVPN, GRE, IPsec, or custom user-space tunnels).
Practical experience troubleshooting network degradation using low-level tools (e.g., tcpdump, wireshark, iproute2, iperf) in lossy, high-latency, or bandwidth-constrained environments.
Proven track record of successfully shipping products, showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles, overcome obstacles, and deliver high-quality solutions to meet project deadlines and exceed expectations in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to obtain security clearance.
Preferred qualifications::
Experience developing embedded Linux networking applications using build systems like Yocto or OS-level customization tools.
Experience working with RF and other hardware engineers to design network protocols and topologies which are tailored for 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.
#LI-AA1
#LC
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
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. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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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.

Source: Shield AI careers (Lever)