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Shield AI, a venture-backed defense-tech company, is seeking a Staff Safety-Critical Software Engineer to join the Hivemind Foundations team. This role focuses on designing, developing, and integrating a safety-critical Run-Time Assurance (RTA) product that ensures autonomous systems operate safely and predictably in complex, adversarial environments. The RTA capability is a real-time safety system deployed on Shield AI's platforms, including the X-BAT Group 5 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) UAV.
You will drive the architecture, development, integration, and testing of an extensible, configurable RTA module. Key responsibilities include:
• Design and develop C++ software for safety-critical systems with real-time guarantees
• Collaborate with other Foundations engineers to integrate with low-assurance mission-autonomy software and high-assurance middleware
• Specialize, integrate, and test RTA capabilities across diverse platforms and conditions to ensure robust fail-safe behavior
• Drive principled software development practices including code analysis, audit trails, and principled review processes
• Generate certifiability artifacts such as static & dynamic analysis reports, software documentation, architecture decision records (ADRs), and interface control diagrams (ICDs)
• Mentor and guide Foundations developers on safe software development practices to enhance software quality and assurance
• Establish and maintain high technical standards while guiding teams through complex technical challenges
This is a full-time regular employee position offering pay within a competitive range, bonus, benefits, and equity.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Minimum 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree (or 9 years with Master's degree, or 7 years with PhD, or equivalent work experience)
• Demonstrated excellence in designing and developing C++ based safety-critical software systems with real-time guarantees
• Experience working as a mentor to other engineers in a role driving software best practices
• Experience integrating software on real-world physical systems and driving up performance and reliability
• Deep expertise in C++ software architecture design patterns and their practical implementation
• Strong knowledge of software assurance certifications such as DO-178C and MIL-HDBK-516
• Strong Git and Linux development skills, along with modern software development practices (CI/CD, test-driven development)
• Track record of technical leadership with ability to set and maintain high standards and collaborate effectively
PREFERRED:
• Experience developing against strict C++ coding standards (MISRA C++, JSF AV C++)
• Hands-on experience with airworthiness certifications such as MIL-HDBK-516 and DO-178C
• Experience taking a solution through a certification process and achieving certification
