We are seeking a Weapons Systems Engineer to lead the integration, validation, and operational deployment of advanced weapon capabilities on X-Bat. This role directly impacts mission readiness, combat effectiveness, aircraft survivability, and program execution by ensuring weapon systems are successfully integrated, tested, and fielded to operational users.
The engineer will work across the full lifecycle from requirements development through flight test, helping reduce integration risk, accelerate capability delivery, and improve overall mission system performance.
What you'll do:
- Define weapon system behaviors, operational sequences, and mission workflows to ensure reliable and predictable weapon employment across all phases of operation
- Develop system architectures, activity diagrams, interface definitions, and functional behaviors for aircraft weapon systems and mission system integration
- Lead integration of weapon systems, stores management systems, and avionics interfaces while coordinating across software, avionics, flight sciences, mechanical design, and test teams
- Support lab, ground, and flight test activities to validate system behavior, identify integration issues early, and improve mission system reliability
- Perform troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action development to reduce integration risk, improve operational readiness, and accelerate capability fielding
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
- 5+ years of experience in military aerospace, mission systems, avionics, or weapon systems integration
- Experience defining system behavior, operational concepts, activity diagrams, or functional architectures for complex aerospace systems
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-1760, MIL-STD-1553, and hardware/software integration environments
- Strong systems engineering, troubleshooting, and cross-functional communication skills
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience supporting fighter aircraft, UAV, bomber, or advanced military aircraft programs
- Experience with MBSE methodologies and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler
- Background in HIL/SIL integration labs, flight test, or operational weapon system validation
- Familiarity with airworthiness, cybersecurity, and resilient mission systems
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance preferred
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
- 5+ years experience in military aerospace, mission systems, avionics, or weapon systems integration
- Experience defining system behavior, operational concepts, activity diagrams, or functional architectures for complex aerospace systems
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-1760, MIL-STD-1553, and hardware/software integration environments
- Strong systems engineering, troubleshooting, and cross-functional communication skills
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance
- Experience supporting fighter aircraft, UAV, bomber, or advanced military aircraft programs
- Experience with MBSE methodologies and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler
- Background in HIL/SIL integration labs, flight test, or operational weapon system validation
- Familiarity with airworthiness, cybersecurity, and resilient mission systems
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance
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
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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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
