Senior Engineer, State Estimation (R5165)

Posted 24 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
4 Locations
In-Office
160K-240K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
The Role
Develop and implement real-time sensor processing and multi-sensor state estimation algorithms (IMU, radar, cameras, GPS). Design pipelines, run field tests, integrate with cross-functional teams, and optimize for production on compute-constrained systems.
Summary Generated by Built In
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

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 a fighter jet (F-16), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (X-BAT), and a quadcopter (Nova). 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.  As a State Estimation Engineer, you will work on the GNC team to develop and optimize algorithms that process and fuse data from various sensors to provide accurate, reliable state estimates, enabling the X-BAT to operate autonomously in complex and contested environments. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

  • Develop and implement advanced sensor algorithms for processing data from IMUs, radar, cameras, GPS, and other sensors.  
  • Enhance state estimation algorithms by integrating multi-sensor data for improved accuracy and robustness. 
  • Design and implement real-time sensor data processing pipelines. 
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, autonomy researchers, and hardware engineers, to ensure seamless integration of state estimation algorithms.  
  • Conduct experiments and field tests to validate the performance of state estimation algorithms in real-world scenarios.  
  • Stay updated with the latest advancements in sensor technologies and state estimation , applying them to our systems.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 4 years and a Master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
  • Experience developing and deploying real-time sensor processing algorithms, e.g. with cameras, radar, IMUs, GPS, etc.  
  • Solid understanding of state estimation techniques, such as Kalman filters, particle filters, etc.  
  • Experience with C++ 11 or newer  
  • Experience with Linux, command line tools, etc.  
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.  
  • Proven track record of successfully shipping products, showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles, overcome obstacles, and deliver high-quality solutions to meet project deadlines and exceed expectations in a fast-paced environment.  
  • You have a demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others.
  • Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Experience in implementing inertial navigation algorithms on real-time processing systems  
  • Knowledge of computer vision techniques  
  • Proficiency in optimizing algorithms for compute-constrained systems  
  • Experience with CUDA or other hardware acceleration technologies (e.g. FPGAs)  
  • Proven track record of transitioning from R&D to production

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
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. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
###
 
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. 

Skills Required

  • Minimum of 5 years related experience with a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent alternate degree/experience combinations)
  • Experience developing and deploying real-time sensor processing algorithms (cameras, radar, IMUs, GPS)
  • Solid understanding of state estimation techniques (Kalman filters, particle filters)
  • Experience with C++11 or newer
  • Experience with Linux and command line tools
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
  • Proven track record of successfully shipping products from development to production
  • Demonstrated strong teamwork, high standards, and professional integrity
  • Ability to obtain S//SAR level security clearance
  • Experience implementing inertial navigation algorithms on real-time processing systems
  • Knowledge of computer vision techniques
  • Proficiency optimizing algorithms for compute-constrained systems
  • Experience with CUDA or other hardware acceleration technologies (e.g., FPGAs)
  • Proven track record transitioning solutions from R&D to production

What the Team is Saying

Dylan
Mo
Willy
Michael
Vibhav
Kirby
Ryan
Evan

Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: San Diego, CA
Year Founded: 2015

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.

Gallery

Gallery
Gallery
Gallery

Shield AI Teams

Team
Aircraft
Team
Growth (Sales and Marketing)
Team
Hivemind
About our Teams

Shield AI Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

Typical time on-site: Flexible
HQSan Diego, CA
United Arab Emirates
Arlington, VA
Company Office Image
Frisco, Texas
Ukraine
London
Melbourne, Victoria
Taiwan, Province of China
Waltham, MA
Learn more

Similar Jobs

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Senior Engineer

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office or Remote
3 Locations
160K-290K Annually

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Mechanical Engineer I, Systems Integration (R5344)

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office or Remote
3 Locations
75K-110K Annually

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Technician II, Facilities (5444)

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office
Dallas, TX, USA

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Senior Proposal Manager (R5381)

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office or Remote
3 Locations
86K-128K Annually

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account