We are seeking a Lead Cybersecurity Engineer to own and lead all cybersecurity activities across X-Bat and its associated mission systems, networks, ground systems, and support infrastructure. This role directly impacts mission survivability, operational resiliency, platform accreditation, and program execution by ensuring cybersecurity is architected, integrated, validated, and sustained across the entire system lifecycle.
The engineer will serve as the central authority for platform cybersecurity, driving secure system design, cyber resilience, RMF execution, compliance, vulnerability management, and cross-domain integration activities. This position plays a critical role in reducing cyber risk, enabling airworthiness and accreditation, and ensuring the platform can operate effectively in contested and denied environments.
What you'll do:
- Own the platform cybersecurity strategy and architecture across aircraft systems, mission systems, networks, ground systems, datalinks, and support infrastructure
- Define cybersecurity requirements, system behaviors, security architectures, threat models, and operational workflows to ensure resilient and survivable mission operations
- Lead RMF execution, accreditation activities, STIG implementation, vulnerability management, and security compliance efforts to support program milestones and operational fielding
- Drive cross-functional integration between systems engineering, avionics, software, networking, mission systems, test, and airworthiness teams to embed cybersecurity throughout the platform lifecycle
- Support cybersecurity testing, incident response, root cause analysis, and risk mitigation activities across lab, ground, and flight test environments to improve platform resiliency and mission readiness
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field
- 8+ years of experience in cybersecurity engineering, defense systems, mission systems, or military aerospace programs
- Experience leading cybersecurity activities for complex integrated systems or defense platforms
- Strong knowledge of RMF, STIGs, system hardening, network security, secure architectures, and vulnerability management processes
- Experience working across hardware, software, networking, and mission system integration environments
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience supporting military aircraft, UAV, mission systems, or tactical communication platforms
- Familiarity with resilient system architectures, zero trust principles, cross-domain solutions, and contested environment operations
- Experience with MBSE methodologies and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler
- Background supporting cybersecurity test events, airworthiness, or platform accreditation activities
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance preferred
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field
- 8+ years of experience in cybersecurity engineering, defense systems, mission systems, or military aerospace programs
- Experience leading cybersecurity activities for complex integrated systems or defense platforms
- Strong knowledge of RMF, STIGs, system hardening, network security, secure architectures, and vulnerability management processes
- Experience working across hardware, software, networking, and mission system integration environments
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance
- Experience supporting military aircraft, UAV, mission systems, or tactical communication platforms
- Familiarity with resilient system architectures, zero trust principles, cross-domain solutions, and contested environment operations
- Experience with MBSE methodologies and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler
- Background supporting cybersecurity test events, airworthiness, or platform accreditation activities
- 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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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
