What you'll do:
- Support sensor integration activities from specification through production
- Develop and execute sensor characterization and calibration procedures for IMUs, GNSS receivers, cameras, and other navigation sensors
- Contribute to sensor trade studies and selection processes
- Work closely with electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and software engineering teams on:
- Electrical interfaces, power distribution, and signal conditioning
- Mounting solutions, alignment, and thermal/vibration considerations
- Software interfaces, drivers, data acquisition, and calibration implementation
- Participate in design reviews across EE/ME/SW disciplines, providing interdisciplinary perspective and coordination
- Willingness to support occasional travel to support teammates with integration and testing
- Develop and execute test plans for sensor performance characterization and validation
- Document sensor characteristics, trade studies, and integration requirements
- Develop or modify calibration scripts and data processing tools
- Support development of calibration procedures and tooling
- Debug issues spanning hardware-firmware-software boundaries
- Review and contribute to schematics, CAD models, and code as necessary
Required qualifications:
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field
- 1-4 years of relevant experience (new grads with strong cross-functional internship/project experience will be considered)
- Demonstrated ability to work across at least two of: electrical, mechanical, software domains
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
- Understanding of sensor measurement principles and error sources
- Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and/or mechanical drawings
- Basic proficiency in scripting or programming for data analysis (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
- Familiarity with sensor communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, etc.)
- Hands-on experience with lab equipment and sensor testing
- Comfortable learning and working outside primary discipline
- Ability to communicate effectively with engineers from different backgrounds
- Willingness to engage with hardware, firmware, and software aspects of sensor systems
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills across multiple domains
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with navigation or localization sensors (IMUs, GNSS, cameras, altimeters, etc.)
- Exposure to sensor calibration or characterization activities
- Basic proficiency with engineering tools such as Altium, NX, and Teamcenter
- Familiarity with embedded systems or real-time software
- Understanding of coordinate transformations or sensor fusion concepts
- Experience with automated testing or data acquisition systems
- Knowledge of aerospace environmental testing or standards
Skills Required
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field
- 1-4 years of relevant experience (new grads with strong internship/project experience considered)
- Demonstrated ability to work across at least two of: electrical, mechanical, software domains
- Understanding of sensor measurement principles and error sources
- Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and/or mechanical drawings
- Basic proficiency in scripting or programming for data analysis (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
- Familiarity with sensor communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, etc.)
- Hands-on experience with lab equipment and sensor testing
- Willingness to support occasional travel to assist with integration and testing
- Comfortable learning and working outside primary discipline and communicating across teams
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance
- Experience with navigation or localization sensors (IMUs, GNSS, cameras, altimeters)
- Exposure to sensor calibration or characterization activities
- Basic proficiency with engineering tools such as Altium, NX, and Teamcenter
- Familiarity with embedded systems or real-time software
- Understanding of coordinate transformations or sensor fusion concepts
- Experience with automated testing or data acquisition systems
- Knowledge of aerospace environmental testing or standards
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.