At Shield AI, we're building the most intelligent autonomous aircraft ever deployed. As we push the boundaries of what’s possible in contested environments, we are looking for a Survivability Engineer to shape and optimize the low observable (LO) performance of our next-generation autonomous aircraft.
This role is ideal for an experienced engineer with expertise in radar cross-section (RCS) shaping, LO materials, and electromagnetic signature modeling who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. You’ll work across disciplines to ensure our aircraft can survive, evade, and complete missions in highly contested airspace.
What you'll do:
- Design and optimize low observable (LO) features across the airframe focusing on shaping, edge treatments, radar-absorbing materials, and subsystem integration.
- Conduct modeling and simulation of electromagnetic signatures using industry-standard tools such as HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Xpatch, and SENTRi.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams in propulsion, avionics, structures, and AI to ensure survivability is baked into the system architecture from day one.
- Lead or support signature testing efforts, including indoor and outdoor RCS range tests, validation campaigns, and supplier-level hardware evaluations.
- Translate mission threats and requirements into survivability features that address RCS, thermal, visual, and acoustic observability constraints.
- Partner with materials scientists to mature radar-absorbing coatings and structural RAM for manufacturability and field durability.
- Support internal and customer assessments, threat modeling reviews, and milestone decisions throughout the program lifecycle.
Required qualifications:
- B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
- 10+ years of hands-on experience in LO or survivability engineering, preferably on tactical aircraft, UAVs, or stealth systems.
- Proficiency with EM simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, Xpatch, or SENTRi.
- Strong understanding of RCS shaping principles, edge treatments, cavity suppression, and materials integration.
- Practical experience with LO testing methods and RCS measurement equipment.
- Familiarity with radar-absorbing materials (RAM), LO coatings, and structural LO trade studies.
- Solid collaboration and communication skills with the ability to work across design, test, and manufacturing teams.
- U.S. Citizenship and active Secret clearance required.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with military UAV platforms or 5th-gen fighter programs.
- Background in survivability analysis in contested environments (e.g., IADS, radar networks).
- Familiarity with platform CONOPS, threat modeling, and mission-level survivability assessments.
- Ability to contribute to the design, test, and fielding of a fully integrated LO platform.
- Active Top Secret or SCI clearance.
Skills Required
- B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline
- 10+ years hands-on experience in low observable (LO) or survivability engineering on tactical aircraft, UAVs, or stealth systems
- Proficiency with EM simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, Xpatch, or SENTRi
- Strong understanding of RCS shaping principles, edge treatments, cavity suppression, and materials integration
- Practical experience with LO testing methods and RCS measurement equipment
- Familiarity with radar-absorbing materials (RAM), LO coatings, and structural LO trade studies
- Solid collaboration and communication skills to work across design, test, and manufacturing teams
- U.S. Citizenship and active Secret security clearance
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance
- Experience with military UAV platforms or 5th-gen fighter programs
- Background in survivability analysis in contested environments (IADS, radar networks)
- Familiarity with platform CONOPS, threat modeling, and mission-level survivability assessments
- Active Top Secret or SCI clearance
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
At Shield AI, you won't wait years to see your work reach the field. You'll build hardware and software that operates in the real world right now, in the hands of the people who depend on it. Hivemind, our AI pilot, has been flying since 2018. It has flown more than 30 platforms, including an F-16, and it now sits under a U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. When you write code or shape a system here, you contribute to technology with a proven flight record and a clear production future. V-BAT flies intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with an operational record that stretches from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. It delivers eyes where they matter most, in the most demanding conditions on earth. The teams behind it watch their work get tested where the stakes are real. X-BAT takes its first flight this year. It's an AI-piloted fighter that needs no runway, built to operate where traditional aircraft can't. Join now and you help shape a program at its earliest, most formative stage. That's the kind of ground-floor work that defines a career. Do the most impactful work of your life, on problems that matter. Autonomy at this level asks a lot of you. You'll take on problems in perception, planning, and control that few teams anywhere are equipped to solve. You'll work across disciplines, from aerospace and robotics to machine learning and systems engineering, alongside people who hold themselves to an exacting standard and expect the same from you. Our mission is clear: protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. That purpose runs through every decision, every design review, and every deployment. It's why the work here carries a weight you can feel. Ready to join our mission? Explore our open roles and find where you fit.
Why Work With Us
Founded in 2015 by a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI builds AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft. Veterans aren't an afterthought here, they're at every level. It's why the work carries weight: AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft flying real missions, from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, protecting service members and civilians.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
