Valinor is a new type of defense and government tech company focused on solving the problems others don't. Our unique model of centralized go-to-market and decentralized engineering allows us to move with unparalleled efficiency to identify unmet needs, build right-sized solutions, and get products where they matter most - in the hands of users. Unlike others in the space, who focus on the flashy problems, Valinor exists to solve the quiet, unaddressed problems-the small but significant ones that lead to cracks in the country's strength, stability, and security.

Backed by General Catalyst, Founders Fund, and Friends & Family Capital, Valinor was founded in 2024 and has established strategic partnerships with Palantir, Anduril, and Helsing. We are building the dream team, and we want you on it.

About the Role

Valinor Reflex is seeking a Software Engineer, Edge AI to join our small, hands-on team building an AI-powered wearable optics system.

You will help bring computer vision and machine learning capabilities onto hardware-constrained devices while contributing across the broader product stack. We are not looking for expertise in every layer—we want an engineer with relevant depth who is excited to work across ML, embedded systems, and user-facing software.

What You’ll Do

• Select, adapt, evaluate, and deploy computer vision and machine learning models on resource-constrained hardware

• Optimize on-device inference across accuracy, latency, memory, and power

• Build Python and C++ software that connects models with cameras, sensors, and embedded systems

• Prototype and debug across hardware and software layers

• Build and improve user-facing software for the wearable and its companion application

• Contribute to device connectivity, drivers, and other parts of the software stack as needed

What We’re Looking For

• Hands-on experience developing or deploying computer vision or machine learning systems, ideally on edge or embedded hardware

• Strong software engineering fundamentals in Python, C++, or a similar language

• Experience building software that interacts with physical hardware

• Ability to understand technical tradeoffs and evaluate real-world system performance

• High ownership, learning velocity, and a low-ego approach to collaboration

• Comfort working across an evolving product stack in a small-team environment

• Exposure to embedded Linux, model quantization, GPUs or AI accelerators, firmware, wireless connectivity, wearables, or product application development is a plus!

What Valinor Offers

• Competitive salary, equity packages, and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance - fully covered for employees, 401K, development stipends, among others.

• Unlimited PTO and two-week company holiday at the end of every calendar year.

• We are a pro-mental health and pro-family company - we actually encourage employees to spend time with themselves and their families. Valinor also provides fertility benefits to those just beginning that journey.

• Fun work environment - we like to laugh and take care of each other, but we also deeply respect the mission in front of us.

This role requires the candidate be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance preferred.

Valinor is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Valinor team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense and government technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you!