Software Engineer - Edge AI Systems

About the role

This position places you within a newly formed team focused on deploying advanced artificial intelligence directly within contested and denied environments. You will be responsible for the complete lifecycle of LLM agents, from initial training on sensitive data sets through to hardened deployment on tactical edge hardware. A core part of your ownership involves ensuring these agents can function reliably when connectivity is intermittent or entirely absent. You will adapt foundation models to operate under strict power, thermal, and memory constraints imposed by specialized defense hardware. Collaboration with domain experts is essential to align AI behavior with the precise and demanding requirements of defense missions. You will validate that multi-agent workflows can handle complex, real-world scenarios without degradation in accuracy or speed. Ultimately, you own the technical integrity of the AI stack that enables decision advantage in the field.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute end-to-end training pipelines to fine-tune large language models for classified defense applications.
• Profile and refactor model architectures to achieve deterministic latency and minimal memory footprint on edge processors.
• Engineer resilient multi-agent frameworks that coordinate actions across distributed tactical nodes.
• Create integration layers allowing AI agents to communicate with and control unmanned aerial and ground systems.
• Design and run exhaustive benchmark suites that measure stability, accuracy, and robustness under adversarial conditions.
• Implement fault-tolerant software architectures that maintain operation during hardware failure or signal loss.
• Partner with systems engineers to define requirements that balance capability with the physical limits of deployed hardware.
• Maintain detailed technical documentation that ensures continuity and clarity for rotating team members.
• Apply secure software development practices to protect sensitive models and data throughout the lifecycle.
• Lead proof-of-concept demonstrations that translate technical results into actionable mission insights.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor, Master, or PhD degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a closely related quantitative field.
• Accumulate a minimum of 5 years of hands-on professional software engineering experience in production settings.
• Demonstrate a minimum of 2 years of system architecture and design experience with a focus on scalability, resilience, and operational reliability.
• Exhibit advanced proficiency in at least one of the following languages: C++, Python, or Rust, with a proven track record of clean, maintainable code.
• Possess substantial experience deploying large language models and autonomous agent systems using frameworks such as vLLM, HuggingFace Transformers, PyTorch, and LangChain.
• Show a history of optimizing neural networks for low-latency inference on resource-constrained edge devices.
• Maintain active U.S. Security clearance or possess the eligibility and a demonstrated willingness to obtain one through the necessary government vetting process.
• Comply with all U.S. export control regulations and government security policies when handling sensitive technologies.
• Provide evidence of past work delivering software that meets stringent reliability and safety standards in high-pressure environments.
• Commit to working in accordance with strict defense industry protocols and documentation standards.

Nice to have

• Bring prior experience from the defense sector, specifically involving weapon systems or unmanned aerial vehicle platforms.

Practical notes

• Compensation range is published as $145,000 to $200,000 on an annual basis.
• Total compensation package may include sign-on bonuses, equity grants in the form of Restricted Stock Units, and additional performance-based incentives.
• The role provides a comprehensive benefits suite including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401k retirement plan with company match, paid parental leave, fertility and family-forming benefits, relocation assistance for qualified candidates, and a flexible paid time off policy.
• This position is an onsite role based in Seattle, Washington, requiring consistent presence at the assigned work location.
• Palantir Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.