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Staff Software Engineer, GCS - Full Stack (R5192)

Shield AI· Hivemind Solutions Division – Flight System Integration
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Hybrid (San Diego, CA; Dallas, TX; Washington, D.C.; Boston, MA)$150k - $230kFull Time EmployeePosted 4mo ago

About the role

Ground Control Station (GCS) and Command & Control (C2) software role focused on building web-based GCS applications, mission planners, post-mission debrief utilities, and C2 interfaces. Hands-on full-stack engineer with mentorship responsibilities, collaborating across autonomy capability teams, flight operations, and external partners to deliver low-latency, reliable control systems for multi-domain unmanned missions.

Responsibilities

  • Develop & Field Web-Based GCS/C2 Software — Design, develop, and optimize high-performance, responsive GCS software and C2 applications, utilizing modern web technologies (e.g., React, TypeScript, Node.js, Go) to build map-centric mission planning, real-time command & control, video streaming, and telemetry visualization interfaces.
  • Technical Leadership — Own technical direction for major GCS features and full-stack subsystems; architect frontend/backend architectures, design robust APIs, and lead technical decision-making within your project area.
  • Collaboration Across Teams — Act as a primary technical interface with the Autonomy Capabilities team, Perception team, flight operations, and external partners; author and negotiate APIs, REST/WebSocket schemas, and interface contracts.
  • Mentorship & Growth — Mentor mid-level engineers; partner with managers on onboarding, leveling, and growth planning; onboard senior new hires.
  • Design, UX, & Documentation — Drive design reviews, UI/UX prototyping, and API/ICD definitions; champion modern frontend/backend practices, testing, and documentation.
  • Pre-deployment Preparation — Own the build, configuration, and validation process for mission-ready ground stations and C2 web servers; coordinate hardware/software compatibility and containerized release cadence.
  • On-site Test & Mission Support — Travel to test sites and support live mission operations, gathering feedback, debugging live C2 systems, and troubleshooting interfaces and networks.
  • System Debugging & Performance Tuning — Diagnose and resolve integration issues across GCS/C2 stacks, radio links, and telemetry; optimize UI rendering, API latency, and database queries.
  • Mission Data & Debrief Support — Architect and implement post-mission debrief utilities and telemetry analysis tools for rapid post-mission analysis.
  • Continuous Improvement — Build tools/automation to improve C2 deployment pipelines, test reliability, and simulation-based operator testing.
  • C2 Interoperability & Standards — Own compliance and integration with standards (A-GRA, UCI, OMS, STANAG 4586, MAVLink).
  • Hiring — Interview candidates, define skills bar, and onboard new engineers.
  • Travel Requirement — Typical travel 10-20% per year.

Qualifications

  • BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
  • Experience with modern frontend frameworks (e.g., React, TypeScript) and building rich, interactive user experiences in responsive web-based applications.
  • Experience full-stack or building backend in C/C++, Python, TypeScript, or Go, including service orchestration, command/status interfaces, and data pipelines between UI, ground services, and vehicle-side components.
  • Deep familiarity with networked and distributed systems, including UDP/TCP transport, custom binary protocols, reliable messaging, pub-sub/IPC middleware, and serialization/IDL tooling.
  • Experience using AI-assisted development tools to accelerate software design, implementation, debugging, testing, and code review while maintaining strong engineering judgment, validation discipline, and ownership of final technical decisions.
  • Experience working with databases, including relational (e.g., PostgreSQL) or NoSQL databases, with preference for experience handling spatial/geographic data (e.g., PostGIS).
  • Demonstrated experience owning a major software capability or system from architecture through field delivery.
  • Track record of mentoring engineers and growing technical talent.
  • Experience authoring or negotiating interface contracts, API specifications (e.g., OpenAPI/Swagger), or ICDs with internal or external stakeholders.
  • Strong debugging and profiling skills, including diagnosing browser rendering bottlenecks, API latencies, and network connectivity issues.
  • Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Skills

Required:Frontend frameworksBackend / Full-stackAPI design & contractsDistributed systems & networking

Benefits

  • Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
  • Temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
  • Salary compensation is influenced by skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and location; offers contingent on cleared background and possible reference check.
Last updated Oct 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Shield AI

Autonomy for the world.

Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

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