Founded in 2015, 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 and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
We're hiring a Team Lead to lead a high-performing team building the imaging systems that power autonomy. This is a hybrid leadership and technical role - ideal for someone who loves growing people and solving complex, mission-driven engineering challenges.
What You'll Do:
- Lead and mentor a team of systems (edge) software engineers working on NVIDIA Jetson–based imaging, PC applications and mission systems.
- Foster a high-trust, inclusive culture focused on ownership, collaboration, and engineering excellence.
- Provide structured coaching, 1:1s, feedback, and development plans to support team growth.
- Offer technical guidance, architecture input, and lead code reviews - blending execution oversight with people leadership.
- Integrate RGB, NIR, and thermal sensors using MIPI CSI, GMSL, and Ethernet interfaces.
- Partner with hardware teams to optimize system performance and diagnose issues.
- Build and refine calibration and synchronisation tools for multi-sensor configurations.
- Profile and optimise for latency, frame rate, and thermal efficiency in low-SWaP environments.
- Act as a bridge between product, leadership, and engineering to align roadmap and technical delivery.
What You'll Bring:
- Strong technical background in embedded systems, especially C++ development on Linux/NVIDIA platforms.
- Expertise in imaging pipelines, camera integration, ISP tuning, and system performance optimisation.
- Demonstrated success leading engineering teams with high emotional intelligence and a coaching mindset.
- Clear communicator who thrives in cross-functional environments spanning hardware, autonomy, and product.
- Deep alignment with Shield AI’s mission and values - building tech that serves a higher purpose.
Bonus Points For:
- Experience in robotics, aerospace, defence, or other mission-critical, real-time environments.
- Multi-camera synchronisation, sensor fusion, or high-frame-rate imaging expertise.
- Familiarity with RTOS, FFmpeg, GStreamer, or ISP tuning workflows.
- Exposure to AI/ML inference, optical modelling, or classification systems.
- Prior experience in defence, autonomy, or embedded R&D environments.
Why Shield AI?
- Help shape the future of defence and autonomy in Australia and beyond.
- Be a key voice in a mission-led business redefining what’s possible with emerging technology.
- Join a growing, values-led team headquartered in Port Melbourne, with strong global partnerships and local autonomy.
- Competitive salary, performance-based incentives, and long-term growth opportunities.
Help us deliver autonomous solutions that protect service members and civilians - and change what’s possible in defence.
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.
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, colour, 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.
