a16z Manager, Software Engineering - System Update Tools (R4745)
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 . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
The Solutions function is tasked with developing and deploying software applications that facilitate critical & advanced operational capabilities across various systems and use cases. This includes the design of interfaces and solutions for over-the-air (OTA) updates, operator training tools, maintenance management systems, and comprehensive flight data analysis capabilities.
The team focuses on creating intuitive, robust, and scalable software solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems, ensuring that aircraft users and customers experience enhanced product operability and usability.
The team focuses on creating intuitive, robust, and scalable software solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems, ensuring that aircraft users and customers experience enhanced product operability and usability.
As a Solutions Software Engineering Manager, you will lead a team responsible for the architecture, design, and development of integrated software applications that deploy software updates and optimize in-house flight operations.
What you'll do:
- Lead and support the team in designing and implementing reliable systems for delivering OTA software updates to internal fleet & customers, ensuring software across aircraft systems remains current and functional without disrupting ongoing operations.
- Oversee development of interactive software applications that simulate aircraft operations for training & demo purposes, enabling operators to safely and effectively familiarize themselves with new features and functionalities.
- Guide the development of maintenance software and operator-facing applications that help staff track, schedule, and perform maintenance activities efficiently, ensuring aircraft readiness and reliability for flight operations.
- Support and review enhancements to tools that collect, process, and analyze flight data, providing actionable insights that improve flight safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Lead the design and release of applications that optimize daily Customer Success and Production operations.
- Coordinate closely with DevOps, Simulation, and Integration & Test teams to ensure all software solutions integrate smoothly with existing systems, maintain system integrity and performance, and reduce code duplication.
- Collaborate with the GCS team to deliver customer-facing user interfaces on top of solutions for training, field maintenance, and OTA updates.
- Ensure the team delivers software that meets industry standards and customer requirements, including implementing appropriate security measures and testing practices to uphold operational integrity.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
- 6+ years of experience in software development, working on complex or distributed systems
- 1+ years of experience leading projects or managing engineers
- Strong proficiency in Python and/or C++
- Experience designing and building software for deployment systems, data processing, or user-facing applications
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams such as DevOps, Integration & Test, or similar
- Experience delivering reliable, secure, and performant software systems
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with OTA software update systems or fleet-wide software deployment
- Experience developing simulation or training applications
- Experience building maintenance or operator-facing workflow tools
- Experience working with flight data or similar operational data systems
- Familiarity with integrating software across multiple systems and environments
- Experience working in high-reliability, safety-critical, or operational environments
- Experience working with or supporting testing, validation, or integration efforts
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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.