Software Engineer - Edge AI Systems
About this role
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Software Engineer to join a newly-formed team focused on developing and deploying advanced AI systems to the tactical edge. This role involves training, evaluating, and deploying LLM agents to edge hardware for interfacing with sensors, effectors, and drone systems. This project is in support of multiple customers in the defense sector that are looking for untethered AI solutions that can be rapidly deployed downrange on hardware with limited capabilities. As a part of this team, you will build and deploy specialized models and agents that can run on tactical edge hardware, working alongside other experts in AI, LLMs, and systems to shape solutions that redefine complex tactical defense scenarios.
Core Responsibilities
Train and fine-tune edge-capable LLMs for tactical defense applications
Optimize model performance for various edge hardware (GPU, CPU, and specialized accelerator) platforms
Design and implement multi-agent systems for various mission scenarios
Interface LLM agents with sensors, effectors, and drone systems
Benchmark and evaluate agent capabilities, performance, and reliability
Engineer scalable, reliable, and fail-safe systems capable of functioning in high-stakes environments
What We Value
Proven experience in AI model development, training, and fine-tuning
Experience building LLM agent systems using direct LLM API calls, or frameworks such as LangChain
Experience optimizing AI models and runtime performance for edge hardware
Familiarity with edge AI optimization tools including Ollama, Mojo, TVM, TF Lite, and vLLM
Experience working in the defense sector, especially with weapon and UxV systems, is highly desirable
Ability to manage complexity, optimize for performance, and think critically under pressure
Experience deploying and maintaining robust production systems
What We Require
5+ years of professional software development experience
2+ years of experience contributing to the system design or architecture (architecture, design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems
Experience building and deploying LLMs and LLM agents using modern frameworks such as PyTorch, HuggingFace Transformers, LangChain, and vLLM
Strong proficiency in Rust, Python, or C++
Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or related fields
Active US Security clearance or eligibility and willingness to obtain a US Security clearance
Company at a glance
Palantir is a publicly traded software company specializing in data integration and analysis solutions for government agencies and enterprises across national security, healthcare, energy, finance, and manufacturing sectors.
What happens next
Skip the application pile. I get you in front of the people who decide.
Confirm the fit
A few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.
I pitch you to the company
I write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.
A meeting lands on your calendar
When the company wants to meet, I get the call on your calendar. You just show up.
Culture & values
Celebrate individuals' strengths, skills, and interests from first interview to long-term growth
Do not rely on traditional career ladders
Pay attention to the needs of the community to optimize growth opportunities
Ensure many pathways to success at Palantir
Believe employees are 'better together'
In-person work affords opportunity for more creative outcomes
Encourage employees to work from offices to foster connectivity and innovation
Many teams offer hybrid options allowing employees to work from home one or two days a week
Allow employees to strike the right trade-off for their personal productivity
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