Shield AI Jobs

Senior Staff Engineer, Modelling and Simulation (R4924)

Shield AI

Senior Staff Engineer, Modelling and Simulation (R4924)

Reposted 2 Days Ago

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Melbourne, Victoria, AUS

In-Office

Senior level

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software

Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

The Role

Lead architecture, implementation, and operationalisation of high-performance, real-time and faster-than-real-time distributed simulation systems for mission autonomy. Deliver containerised simulation deployments, integrate defence simulation frameworks, support multi‑agent and system‑of‑systems scenarios, provide technical leadership to cross-functional teams, and enable CI/CD, test automation, and validated simulation environments for customer programs and R&D.

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:

As a Senior Staff Engineer in Modelling and Simulation, you will lead the development, integration, and operationalisation of simulation capabilities that enable Hivemind Mission Autonomy programs in Australia. You will architect, implement, and maintain high‑performance, real‑time and faster‑than‑real‑time simulation environments used by autonomy, perception, and systems engineering teams to design, test, and demonstrate cutting‑edge uncrewed aircraft mission autonomy.

This role involves significant technical leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and delivery of complex simulation frameworks that support both customer programs and internal R&D. You will directly contribute to scalable, operationally representative simulation ecosystems that underpin mission‑critical software development.

What you'll do:

Lead the architecture, design, and evolution of distributed, real‑time simulation systems across virtual, constructive, and live environments.
Architect and implement high‑performance C++ software for modelling, simulation, integration workflows, and system interoperability, including compatibility with legacy standards.
Develop and optimise real‑time and distributed simulation software supporting multi‑agent scenarios, high‑fidelity environments, and system‑of‑systems simulations.
Integrate defence simulation frameworks such as AFSIM or NGTS to accelerate delivery and ensure alignment with defence customer expectations.
Design and deliver containerised simulation deployments using technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes for development, CI, testing, and operational environments.
Provide technical and project leadership to engineering teams of 5+ contributors across software, autonomy, perception, test, and program functions.
Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams to connect simulation with autonomy algorithms, hardware interfaces, and automated test pipelines.
Drive innovation and continuous improvement in CI/CD, test‑driven development, software architecture, and simulation tooling.
Support key customer programs by delivering robust, validated, and scalable simulation environments.

Required qualifications:

Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
Extensive professional experience in software engineering and systems integration.
Strong experience with modern C++ and familiarity with legacy C++ standards.
Professional experience with Python.
Demonstrated success delivering reliable software in fast‑paced engineering environments.
Experience leading teams delivering complex engineering or software projects.
Hands‑on experience with real‑time, distributed simulation systems or HWIL/SWIL environments.
Experience with Docker or similar containerisation technologies.
Proficiency working in Linux development environments.
Strong problem‑solving capability and ability to work through complex technical challenges.
Strong history of collaboration, accountability, and being an effective and kind teammate.
Ability to obtain an Australian NV1 security clearance.

Preferred qualifications:

Defence industry experience.
Experience with uncrewed systems, particularly in the air domain.
Experience with AFSIM, NGTS, or similar defence simulation environments.
Experience with data processing, analysis pipelines, or test automation workflows (especially Python‑based).

This role supports work requiring eligibility to view ITAR and Australian export‑controlled information.

#LI-FB1

#LE

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.

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, colour, 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

Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
Extensive professional experience in software engineering and systems integration.
Strong experience with modern C++ and familiarity with legacy C++ standards.
Professional experience with Python.
Experience delivering reliable software in fast-paced engineering environments.
Experience leading teams delivering complex engineering or software projects.
Hands-on experience with real-time, distributed simulation systems or HWIL/SWIL environments.
Experience with Docker or similar containerisation technologies.
Proficiency working in Linux development environments.
Ability to obtain an Australian NV1 security clearance.
Strong problem-solving capability and collaborative teamwork history.

What the Team is Saying

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.

Learn more about Shield AI's Compensation & Benefits →

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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.