What's It Like to Work at Shield AI?

One of my favorite things about my job is that it ties the speed of development of software with the physical reality of hardware. I can code something up in the morning and watch its effect on the robot in the afternoon.

In the 3 years I've worked here, we've always found ways to make things happen, all while maintaining the same level of drive and passion. I think we're able to do this by "doing what makes sense," both for our engineering and our people.

Joining Shield AI was a unique opportunity for me after working at traditional defense companies. Our work at Shield AI -- providing cutting-edge AI software to deploy on intelligent systems -- presents an opportunity to redefine defense technology.

The vibe is collaborative and lively, but there's also plenty of space for independent deep work.

The most successful people on my team have a "no job is too small" and team-first mentality. They understand & appreciate the value of building fast -- with rigor and long-term sustainability in mind. They are also intellectually curious and frequently read papers, books, etc., and are retrospective of our performance so we can constantly improve.

I get to do hands-on work every day -- touching the aircraft, learning how it's put together and how it operates, diagnosing issues and troubleshooting, and more. That's really what drew me to this job because I want to do more than sit behind a desk.

Our vision is to protect service members and civilians at scale by building a defining technology company of this generation. We will achieve this by being mission driven; living our values of honor, service, and excellence; and building the world's best AI pilot.

Shield AI has given me a lot of flexibility to determine my own schedule and develop work habits that work well for me. I also have been consistently supported when I express that I'm feeling overburdened and have been encouraged to rest and recuperate.

On the days with the most pressure, I think about what an honor it is to have this opportunity to do something meaningful.

Every goal our company sets out to accomplish is supported by integrity.

One aspect of my work that I find profoundly rewarding is the opportunity to support Marine Corps operations directly, especially after being disconnected from the Marines for almost two decades.