About Shield AI
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company whose mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. In pursuit of this mission, Shield AI is building the world’s best AI pilot. Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown jets (F-16; MQM-178 Firejet), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (MQ-35 V-BAT), and three quadcopters (Nova, Nova 2, iPRD). The company has offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington DC and abroad. Shield AI’s products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. allies.
Our 2025 Summer Internship program is a wonderful opportunity for rising 2026 graduates to immerse themselves in an innovative and mission driven culture. Our 10-week paid internship program will provide you with hands on mentorship, an opportunity to add real contribution to our company via your internship project, and a possible job offer at the end. You will have the chance to make lifelong friendships, expand your network, and learn all about what it's like to work in a high-growth, fast scaling tech unicorn. You'll take part in company sponsored events and enjoy exploring a new city. Read on below to learn more about this unique internship!
10 Week Project Scope & Description:
- Support flight critical avionics from concept through production including rapid prototyping
- Contribute to new avionics architectures as we evolve and advance V-BAT capabilities
- Help debug, root cause, and repair electrical hardware issues. Drive improvements to prevent reoccurrence and increase reliability. Become fluent with aircraft schematics, wiring diagrams, interfaces, communications, and mechanical design
- Deliver novel autonomous features through collaboration with Mechanical, Electrical, Embedded, Manufacturing, Product Management, Flight Test, etc.
- Support aircraft flight operations and data review the responsible authority for evaluating aircraft health, performance, real-time debug and resolution
- Investigate technical challenges with rigor, analysis, and testing
- Other duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
- You are an undergraduate, graduate or PhD student expected to graduate in December 2025 or Spring 2026.
- Pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field.
- Strong understanding of fundamental engineering concepts, including EE, Mech E, Programming, Physics, and Mathematics.
- Experience working on multidisciplinary hardware development projects, which can be from an internship, job, club, team, personal project, etc.
- Strong engineering analysis and debug fundamentals
- Demonstrated track record of assuming ownership of and delivering outstanding outcomes
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbally
- Demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others
Preferred qualifications:
- Engineering experience in electrical system design, integration, testing, debug, and repair
- Comfortable using circuit schematics and wiring diagrams
- Experience working in cross-functional engineering teams
Intern Program Dates:
June 2nd - Aug 8th
OR
June 23rd - Aug 29th
#intern
Total package details for U.S. based positions:
- Regular employee positions: Salary within range listed above + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
- Temporary employee positions: Hourly within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days
of employment)
- Interns/Military Fellows/Part-time not eligible for bonus, benefits or equity
Total package details for International based positions (where applicable):
- International premium, hardship differential, cost of living differential, living quarters allowance, foreign service transfer
allowance, equity, international benefits, visa assistance, and relocation assistance.
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.
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.
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What We Do
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
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