Shield AI is seeking a Chief Engineer of Autonomy to lead the technical execution of autonomy capabilities supporting one of the most important military aviation initiatives of our generation.
As the senior technical leader for Shield AI's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) autonomy efforts, you will help define how autonomous aircraft operate alongside crewed fighters in contested environments, enabling a new era of air superiority through trusted, scalable autonomy.
This role carries end-to-end responsibility for technical vision, architecture, execution, flight test, operational integration, and customer success. You will work across engineering, product, flight operations, programs, and government stakeholders to transition autonomy from development to operational capability at scale.
This is not a research position. This is a position focused on delivering mission-ready autonomy systems that perform in real-world operational environments.
What You'll Do:
Serve as the senior technical authority for Shield AI's CCA autonomy efforts, accountable for technical strategy, architecture, execution, customer engagement, and mission effectiveness.
Lead the development, integration, and deployment of operational autonomy capabilities from concept through flight test, operational evaluation, and fielding.
Define and evolve autonomy architectures spanning mission planning, perception, decision-making, collaborative behaviors, human-machine teaming, and platform integration.
Drive engineering rigor and technical governance across the program, ensuring sound architectural decisions, disciplined execution, and mission-focused outcomes.
Partner closely with program leadership to balance risk, schedule, operational requirements, and customer priorities.
Lead technical readiness for major demonstrations, flight tests, program milestones, operational assessments, and customer engagements.
Direct verification, validation, and operational integration efforts required to establish trust, performance, safety, and mission effectiveness.
Build and mentor a world-class technical organization consisting of chief engineers, architects, principal engineers, autonomy developers, and mission domain experts.
Help shape the future of autonomous air combat by influencing requirements, concepts of operation, technical roadmaps, and next-generation autonomy capabilities.
Required Qualifications:
15+ years of engineering experience developing complex aerospace, defense, autonomy, weapons, or mission-critical systems.
Experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Technical Director, Chief Architect, Technical Fellow, Technical Program Manager, or equivalent technical leadership role.
Demonstrated success leading large multidisciplinary engineering teams through development, integration, test, and deployment of operational systems.
Proven ability to lead across software, systems, AI/ML, simulation, mission systems, flight test, and operational stakeholders.
Experience delivering major defense products with significant technical complexity and customer visibility.
Experience working directly with Air Force, Navy, Operational Users, Program Executive Offices, or major defense acquisition programs.
Strong executive communication skills with the ability to influence government, military, and industry leaders.
Experience operating effectively in rapidly evolving, high-consequence environments.
Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP), advanced aviation autonomy programs, or related initiatives.
Experience with crewed-uncrewed teaming, mission autonomy, autonomous mission systems, air combat autonomy, or collaborative autonomous systems.
Background in military aviation, advanced aerospace systems, weapons systems, mission systems integration, or combat aircraft development.
Skills Required
- 15+ years of engineering experience developing complex aerospace, defense, autonomy, weapons, or mission-critical systems
- Experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Technical Director, Chief Architect, Technical Fellow, Technical Program Manager, or equivalent technical leadership role
- Demonstrated success leading large multidisciplinary engineering teams through development, integration, test, and deployment of operational systems
- Proven ability to lead across software, systems, AI/ML, simulation, mission systems, flight test, and operational stakeholders
- Experience delivering major defense products with significant technical complexity and customer visibility
- Experience working directly with Air Force, Navy, Operational Users, Program Executive Offices, or major defense acquisition programs
- Strong executive communication skills with the ability to influence government, military, and industry leaders
- Experience operating effectively in rapidly evolving, high-consequence environments
- Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance
- Experience with Collaborative Combat Aircraft, crewed-uncrewed teaming, or autonomous mission systems
- Background in military aviation, advanced aerospace systems, weapons systems, or mission systems integration
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
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 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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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
