San Diego, California
4 weeks ago

Job Overview

Job Type
Intern
Pay
Not disclosed

Job description

Location:
San Diego, California, United States
Work arrangement:
On-site

Role Summary

Shield AI's Software Development Engineer Intern program spans engineers who design, build, and test the code that powers our autonomous systems — from user-facing applications and embedded flight software to machine learning models and the underlying systems platforms that tie it all together. Over 10–12 weeks, interns work alongside full-time engineers to analyze requirements, write and debug production-quality code, and ship a real feature or capability using our standard Agile development practices.

Example Intern Projects

  • Applications: Build a new feature or internal tool (web, mobile, or desktop) that streamlines a mission-planning or fleet-management workflow.
  • Firmware/Embedded: Develop and debug embedded C/C++ code for a flight controller or sensor module, including bring-up and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
  • Machine Learning: Train, evaluate, and integrate a perception or decision-making model (e.g., object detection, sensor fusion) into an autonomy pipeline.
  • Systems Development: Extend a platform tool, API, or data pipeline that supports autonomy software, simulation, or cloud infrastructure.

Requirements

  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
  • Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (e.g., C, C++, Python, Java, or JavaScript)
  • Solid foundation in data structures, algorithms, and software design principles
  • Experience writing, testing, and debugging code, whether through coursework, personal projects, or prior internships
  • Familiarity with version control (e.g., Git) and collaborative development workflows
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down ambiguous requirements into working code
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications

  • Exposure to mobile or web application frameworks and full-stack development
  • Hands-on experience with embedded systems, microcontrollers, real-time operating systems, or assembly-level debugging
  • Coursework or projects involving machine learning, statistics, probability theory, or deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow)
  • Experience with cloud platforms, databases, networking, or distributed systems
  • Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies
  • Prior internship, research, or club/competition experience in robotics, autonomy, or aerospace applications
  • Interest in or exposure to the defense, aerospace, or autonomous systems industry

#intern

  • Shield AI is proud to offer competitive pay and a housing stipend for qualified hires. While our People Experience team provides resources and assistance, interns are responsible to find their own housing and travel to and from their office location.
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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.

Role:
Summer 2027 - Software Engineer Intern
Job Type:
Intern

Company profile

Shieldai

shield.ai

Shield AI is a United States aerospace and defense technology company that builds AI pilots and aircraft to protect service members and civilians by shifting dangerous tasks from humans to autonomous systems. Its Hivemind system has flown an MQ-20 Avenger, and the company enabled the X-62 VISTA to autonomously fly tactical maneuvers against human pilots. Shield AI was founded in 2015 by former Navy SEAL Brandon Tseng with co-founders Ryan Tseng and Andrew Reiter to bring AI and autonomy technology to the DoD and its allies.

Company Size
1,000 - 5,000 employees
Headquarters
San Diego, California, United States
Founded
2015

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