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Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
The Role
Develop and scale high-performance, deterministic aircraft subsystem models and simulation tooling in C++. Build infrastructure for automated testing (HITL/SITL, CI/CD), implement unit/system/regression tests, perform model verification and validation, analyze system performance, and collaborate with autonomy, embedded, GNC, and test teams to ensure simulation fidelity to real aircraft.
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.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Aircraft Simulation team turns frontier autonomy into mission-ready aircraft. We own the commit-to-flight pipeline—deterministic aircraft and mission simulation, HITL/SITL integration, CI/CD, and tooling for automated flight qualification testing. Our goal is simple: make AI fly—safely, reliably, and fast.
As a Senior Modeling & Simulation Engineer, you will be dedicated to Shield AI’s next-generation aircraft program, contributing to our modeling and simulation tooling pipeline. You’ll design, build, and scale novel aircraft subsystem models, develop infrastructure that enables automated testing for our XBAT product line, and perform verification and validation of simulation pipelines. You will also conduct system performance analysis to evaluate expected and actual flight and mission performance using simulation tools and publish results for consumption by customers.
The Aircraft Simulation team turns frontier autonomy into mission-ready aircraft. We own the commit-to-flight pipeline—deterministic aircraft and mission simulation, HITL/SITL integration, CI/CD, and tooling for automated flight qualification testing. Our goal is simple: make AI fly—safely, reliably, and fast.
As a Senior Modeling & Simulation Engineer, you will be dedicated to Shield AI’s next-generation aircraft program, contributing to our modeling and simulation tooling pipeline. You’ll design, build, and scale novel aircraft subsystem models, develop infrastructure that enables automated testing for our XBAT product line, and perform verification and validation of simulation pipelines. You will also conduct system performance analysis to evaluate expected and actual flight and mission performance using simulation tools and publish results for consumption by customers.
What You'll Do
- Develop models and infrastructure for the integrated simulation pipeline in C++
- Design deterministic, high-performance simulation tools capable of faster-than-real-time execution for development, testing, and release.
- Implement test scenarios and write unit, system, and regression tests.
- Collaborate across autonomy, embedded, GNC, and test engineering to ensure the simulation mirrors real aircraft behavior and mission scenarios.
- Contribute to platform-agnostic simulation tooling to accelerate future development efforts
- Perform verification and validation (V&V) analysis activities on model tools.
- Conduct system performance analysis and generate reports and visualizations.
- Utilize best practices in C++, simulation architecture, and performance engineering.
Required Qualifications
- BS or MS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience in software development, with emphasis on modern C++ (C++17 or later) and performance optimization.
- Strong understanding of rigid-body dynamics, kinematics, and basic flight and sensor mechanics.
- Proven experience developing or integrating simulation systems for robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems.
- Ability to debug complex build and runtime environments (CMake, CPM, package management, logging, & profiling tools).
- Experience with software testing tools (GTest, etc.)
- Experience with model V&V.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills across software, hardware, and systems disciplines.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred Qualifications
- Grasp of real-time and deterministic software design, including multi-threading, synchronization, and memory management.
- Experience with DevOps-integrated simulation workflows, including CI/CD and automated hardware testing environments.
- Working knowledge of Python for data analysis, test automation, or simulation orchestration.
- Familiarity with aircraft and flight physics modeling.
#LI-SM1
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.
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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
- BS or MS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, or related field
- 5+ years software development experience with modern C++ (C++17 or later) and performance optimization
- Strong understanding of rigid-body dynamics, kinematics, and basic flight and sensor mechanics
- Experience developing or integrating simulation systems for robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems
- Ability to debug complex build and runtime environments (CMake, CPM, package management, logging, profiling tools)
- Experience with software testing tools (GTest or equivalent)
- Experience with model verification and validation (V&V)
- Strong collaboration and communication skills across software, hardware, and systems disciplines
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance
- Real-time and deterministic software design knowledge (multi-threading, synchronization, memory management)
- Experience with DevOps-integrated simulation workflows, CI/CD, and automated hardware testing environments
- Working knowledge of Python for data analysis, test automation, or simulation orchestration
- Familiarity with aircraft and flight physics modeling
What the Team is Saying
Dylan
Lead Engineer, Planning and Controls-Motion
Mo
Lead Engineer, Platform Automation
Willy
Technical Director
Michael
Engineering Manager - State Estimation
Vibhav
Senior Staff Engineer
Kirby
Mechanical Engineer
Ryan
CEO
Evan
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
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.
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The Company
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.
Typical time on-site:
3 days a week
