Description About the Role Shield AI is seeking engineers to help develop and deploy Hivemind, its AI-powered autonomy platform, across aircraft and other autonomous systems. This role sits at the intersection of AI development, software engineering, testing, and real-world aircraft integration. Engineers in this position will not simply write code in a development environment—they will help take AI-generated and autonomy software from development through testing and ultimately onto real aircraft, working closely with flight-test, systems, and hardware teams. What You'll Do

• Develop software and AI-enabled capabilities supporting autonomous aircraft, UAVs, drones, and collaborative/swarming systems.
• Use AI-assisted development tools to accelerate software development while maintaining engineering quality and reliability.
• Develop and maintain automated testing frameworks for autonomy and AI software.
• Test autonomy behaviors in simulated environments and transition validated capabilities to real aircraft.
• Support integration and testing of Hivemind directly on airborne platforms.
• Analyze test results and troubleshoot software, autonomy, and integration issues.
• Develop methods for determining whether autonomous systems are behaving as intended and building trust in AI-driven autonomy.
• Work with aircraft, mission systems, and software engineers to integrate Hivemind capabilities onto different platforms.
• Participate in flight testing and help translate test results into software improvements.
• Help establish repeatable processes for validating AI/autonomy software before and during deployment.
• Collaborate across development, test, systems engineering, and customer-facing teams. Skills C++, Ai, autonomy, test, verification and validation, C/c++, Software development, Development Top Skills Details C++,Ai,autonomy,test,verification and validation,C/c++,Software development,Development Additional Skills & Qualifications What We're Looking For
• Experience in software development, systems engineering, software testing, AI/ML, robotics, autonomy, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills, particularly in languages such as C++, Python, or similar.
• Experience developing automated software tests and/or verification frameworks.
• Ability to work across the boundary between software and physical systems.
• Interest or experience in autonomous vehicles, aircraft, UAVs, robotics, or defense systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex problems where software, AI, sensors, hardware, and aircraft systems interact.
• Comfortable working in an environment where software is developed, tested, deployed, and evaluated on real-world platforms.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

The Core of the Job Develop Test Integrate Fly Evaluate Improve. The big distinction is that the engineer isn't just asking, "Does this AI/software work?" They're helping answer: "Does this autonomy software work reliably enough to put it on an aircraft and trust it to perform the mission?" Experience Level Expert Level Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Arlington, VA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $300000.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Arlington,VA.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.