The Operational Safety Specialist plays a central role in strengthening both proactive and reactive safety programs across Shield AI’s flight operations and ground environments. This position focuses on the execution and continuous improvement of auditing, safety metrics, investigations, and safety promotion activities spanning multiple aircraft programs. The role is instrumental in preparing Shield AI’s safety programs for global scale and growth.
You will work closely with Flight Safety, Ground Operations, Airworthiness, Engineering, EH&S, and Program teams to ensure operational hazards are identified early, tracked effectively, and addressed through closure. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; is detail-oriented; and brings strong analytical and communication skills to support the development of a world-class safety culture.
What you'll do:
- Conduct audits of ground procedures and operational practices across the enterprise to ensure compliance, identify gaps, and drive corrective actions.
- Develop, maintain, and report leading and lagging safety metrics to drive transparency and continuous improvement.
- Own and manage the Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) process, ensuring findings are logged, analyzed, assigned, and closed on schedule.
- Lead the Safety Promotions program, including communications, awareness campaigns, and training touchpoints.
- Lead medium- and lower-priority mishap and near-miss investigations, ensuring proper root cause analysis, documentation, and follow-through.
- Maintain the Operational Risk Registry for the V-BAT platform and coordinate with engineering and operational stakeholders to ensure risks are properly assessed and updated.
- Collaborate with Airworthiness and System Safety teams to align operational and engineering safety efforts.
- Contribute to cross-functional safety reviews, readiness assessments, and operational approval activities.
- Support customer reporting obligations and engagements related to operational safety performance.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, safety, aviation, or related discipline (or equivalent operational experience).
- 3–5+ years of experience in aviation safety, flight or ground operations, UAS operations, or safety management systems.
- Familiarity with SMS principles, operational audits, and mishap investigation processes.
- Ability to work effectively across diverse operational environments with multiple stakeholders.
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency with safety or quality tracking systems.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly in producing investigation reports and safety summaries.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience supporting UAS flight operations or military/rapid-deployment aviation environments.
- Experience developing safety promotion or training materials.
- Familiarity with risk management frameworks and operational assurance tools.
- Formal training in mishap investigation methodologies (HFACS, TapRooT, RCA).
- Experience with safety data analysis or safety‑related software tools.
- Demonstrated field experience supporting flightline or mission operations.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, safety, aviation, or related discipline (or equivalent operational experience)
- 3-5+ years experience in aviation safety, flight or ground operations, UAS operations, or safety management systems
- Familiarity with Safety Management System (SMS) principles, operational audits, and mishap investigation processes
- Ability to work effectively across diverse operational environments with multiple stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency with safety or quality tracking systems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including producing investigation reports and safety summaries
- Experience supporting UAS flight operations or military/rapid-deployment aviation environments
- Experience developing safety promotion or training materials
- Familiarity with risk management frameworks and operational assurance tools
- Formal training in mishap investigation methodologies (HFACS, TapRooT, RCA)
- Experience with safety data analysis or safety-related software tools
- Demonstrated field experience supporting flightline or mission operations
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 defense-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.
