🚀 Embedded Engineering Spring 2026 Co-Op (Boston, MA)

Embedded Engineering Spring 2026 Co-Op (Boston, MA)

Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. Shield AI has nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific. For more information, visit Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description: Shield AI is seeking an exceptional Co-op candidate to join the team in building our autonomous aircraft. You will join a team of highly talented cross-functional engineers that exhibit a culture of mentorship, kindness, ownership, and hard work. The start date and duration of the Co-op are flexible.

The Embedded Software team focuses on developing complex avionics software that merges hardware, operating systems and applications for cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Embedded Software engineers work with customer programs, electrical engineers, Guidance, Navigation and Controls (GNC) engineers, systems engineers, test engineers and the Autonomy AI team to design and develop software systems which utilize modern aerospace sensors, state-of-the-art UAV avionics, and groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence applications.

What you'll do

• You will be given ownership of a project that is tailored to the start date, duration, and location of your Co-op.
• You will be partnered with a senior engineer as mentor and guide for technical input and professional development.
• Develop high-quality C/C++ code
• Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews
• Integrate software from multiple departments to include firmware, software test and verification, Autonomy AI, and Ground Control Stations (GCS)
• Develop software systems to implement and integrate interfaces to modern avionics sensors, sub-systems, and payloads
• Facilitate the design process for updates to the software system architecture

Required Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 2 years of coursework towards a degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering
• Strong C/C++ background
• Experience in bare-metal firmware development for embedded systems
• Experience in a collaborative development environment with continuous integration/delivery and unit testing
• Familiarity with version control (git) and build systems (CMake, or similar)
• Demonstrated work ethic, strong communication, teamwork, and a kind collaborative mindset

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on autonomous robotic systems
• Background thriving in fast-paced startup or R&D environments; school projects are applicable
• Adaptability, agility, and the ability to innovate under pressure to meet dynamic project demands
• Classroom or project experience in developing code (Verilog, VHDL) for FPGAs

Salary: $35 - $50 per hour depending on degree level. Rising Bachelor's graduate = $35/hour; Rising Master's graduate = $43/hour; Rising PhD graduate = $50/hour. Housing stipend provided for those who qualify. This role may also be eligible for benefits such as PTO, 401(k), healthcare, etc.

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 skill set, experience, licenses, certifications, and 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.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and 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.

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EEO notice: Shield AI is an equal opportunity employer. This section is retained to reflect the original EEO statement.