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Phd Software Engineer Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Staff Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or up to 3 years of relevant experience with a PhD • Multi-disciplinary skills and experience in ideation, software design, programming, debugging, and optimization. • ...

Staff Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 0 years of work experience with a PhD, OR 8+ years of relevant work ... software components should interact and are used when programming graphical user interface (GUI ...

Staff Software Engineer

Austin, TX · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... software, but also for influencing design decisions, engineering standards, and best practices ... Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 0 years of work experience with a PhD, OR 8+ years of relevant work ...

Showing results 41-60

Phd Software Engineer information

See Texas salary details

$59.2K

$137.4K

$191.5K

How much do phd software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd software engineer in Texas is $137,441.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,800.00 and $161,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PhD software engineer?

A PhD Software Engineer is a professional who has completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree specializing in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, and works in designing, developing, and optimizing software systems. They often engage in advanced research, develop innovative algorithms, and solve complex technical problems. Their expertise is typically utilized in roles that require deep technical knowledge, research skills, and the ability to push the boundaries of current technology. PhD Software Engineers are commonly found in academia, research institutions, and leading technology companies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD software engineer?

A PhD Software Engineer requires advanced programming expertise, strong analytical and research skills, and typically a doctorate in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with specialized programming languages, version control systems like Git, and experience with research-oriented software tools are common technical requirements. Exceptional problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help bridge the gap between research and practical application. These abilities are crucial for driving innovation, translating complex theories into scalable solutions, and contributing to cutting-edge technology projects.

What does a PhD software engineer do?

As a PhD Software Engineer, you are often entrusted with tackling complex problems and leading research-driven projects that require advanced analytical and technical skills. Your daily work may involve designing novel algorithms, conducting experiments, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams such as data scientists and product managers. Additionally, you might mentor junior engineers and help shape the technical direction of your team. This role leverages your research background to bridge the gap between academic innovation and practical software solutions.

What cities in Texas are hiring for Phd Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in Texas with the most Phd Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Phd Software Engineer job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Internship, 72% Full Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $137,441 per year, or $66.1 per hour.

Ground Control Station (GCS) Software Engineer (R3963)

Shield AI

Dallas, TX • On-site

$130K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

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 www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:
We're looking for a Software Engineer to join our team developing next-generation Ground Control Station (GCS) applications for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This role is ideal for engineers with a strong foundation in real-time, performance-sensitive software who also bring experience with modern web technologies. 
 
You'll work on mission-critical software that bridges responsive user interfaces with robust backend systems, enabling human operators to plan, command, and monitor autonomous assets with precision and reliability. 
What you'll do:
  • Design, develop, and optimize ground control software that enables low-latency communication with UAVs and other autonomous platforms. 
  • Build high-performance client and server applications that support telemetry processing, mission planning, and real-time control. 
  • Implement responsive user interfaces with React and TypeScript for operator workflows and visualization of spatial data, sensor feeds, and mission state. 
  • Collaborate closely with teams across autonomy, embedded systems, backend, and UX to deliver integrated, field-ready solutions. 
  • Contribute to architectural decisions and system designs that ensure responsiveness, scalability, and fault-tolerance. 
  • Lead development efforts on key features or subsystems, from early design through deployment and iteration. 
  • Write high-quality, well-tested code and participate in peer design/code reviews. 
Required qualifications:
  • Senior: Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, or Masters with 4+ years, or PhD with 2+ years.
  • Staff: Bachelor's degree with 7+ years of relevant experience, or Masters with 6+ years, or PhD with 4+ years.
  • Senior Staff: Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience, or Masters with 9+ years, or PhD with 7+ years.
  • Demonstrated experience building real-time or performance-sensitive applications-preferably for UAVs, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or simulation environments. 
  • Proficiency in a strongly typed programming language (e.g. C#, TypeScript, Java, C++) with exposure to lower-level systems or protocol integration. 
  • Experience with web technologies, especially React, TypeScript/JavaScript, and Node.js.
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals including version control, testing, debugging, and performance profiling. 
  • Proven ability to deliver high-quality software as part of a collaborative engineering team. 
Preferred qualifications:
  • Experience with GCS software, mission planning tools, or real-time visualization platforms. 
  • Familiarity with API-driven systems using REST or gRPC, and communication protocols like WebSocket or custom telemetry formats. 
  • Knowledge of standards such as STANAG 4586, Cursor on Target (CoT), or MAVLink. 
  • Familiarity with containerized environments (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and CI/CD practices. 
  • Exposure to distributed systems and cloud integration for telemetry data pipelines. 
  • Understanding of security best practices in control systems and networked applications. 
$130,000 - $250,000 a year
#LI-AA1
#LC

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. 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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