What you'll do:
- System Integration & Deployment — Integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft systems, ensuring seamless operation across onboard compute, sensors, and control interfaces.
- Pre-flight Preparation — Own the build, configuration, and validation process for flight-ready systems; coordinate hardware/software compatibility and mission readiness.
- On-site Flight Test Support — Travel to test sites and support live flight operations, including safety checks, system bring-up, and troubleshooting under time-critical constraints.
- Hardware/Software Debugging — Diagnose and resolve integration issues across complex autonomy software stacks and embedded systems in lab and field environments.
- Flight Data Capture & Analysis — Manage data collection during missions and post-test analysis, working with autonomy engineers to refine behaviors and identify improvements.
- Collaboration Across Teams — Work closely with autonomy, GNC, systems, and test teams to ensure mission-critical functionality is delivered on time and validated thoroughly.
- Continuous Improvement — Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines, flight test reliability, and team efficiency across deployment cycles.
- Support Certification and Compliance — Assist with documentation and system-level validation required for certification, airworthiness, and compliance in defense-relevant environments.
- Travel Requirement – Members of this team typically travel around 30-40% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and flight integration events).
Required Qualifications:
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience
- Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 9 years and a Master’s degree; or 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python, and familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
- Proficiency in Linux-based development and experience working with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics.
- Knowledge of sensor integration, sensor fusion, and middleware frameworks (e.g., ROS, DDS).
- Hands-on experience supporting flight demos or live exercises.
- Experience with simulation tools and environments (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) for testing and validation.
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Direct experience supporting unmanned aerial systems or similar flight test campaigns.
- Familiarity with autonomy stacks, flight control systems, or GNC pipelines.
- Competence in sensor integration, electronics debugging, or avionics bring-up.
- Proficiency in developing automation tools for system testing, logging, and data parsing.
- Comfortable interfacing with DoD stakeholders during field events or technical reviews.
- Experience with UCI and OMS Standards.
Skills Required
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent practical experience
- Minimum experience: typically 10 years with BS; 9 years with MS; 7 years with PhD; or equivalent
- Proficiency in C++ and Python
- Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS)
- Proficiency in Linux-based development, embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics
- Knowledge of sensor integration, sensor fusion, and middleware frameworks (ROS, DDS)
- Hands-on experience supporting flight demos or live exercises
- Experience with simulation tools/environments (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) for testing and validation
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills in multidisciplinary environments
- Ability to obtain a SECRET security clearance
- Direct experience supporting unmanned aerial systems or flight test campaigns
- Familiarity with autonomy stacks, flight control systems, or GNC pipelines
- Competence in sensor integration, electronics debugging, or avionics bring-up
- Proficiency in developing automation tools for system testing, logging, and data parsing
- Comfortable interfacing with DoD stakeholders during field events or technical reviews
- Experience with UCI and OMS Standards
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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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
