The Safety Engineer for the X-BAT program will support the development, integration, and verification of system-level safety requirements for this revolutionary next-generation platform. This role bridges engineering design, system safety analysis, airworthiness, and cybersecurity by interrogating technical systems, driving hazard analyses, and ensuring requirements are implemented correctly. This role will be critical to assuring the safe development of the platform in alignment with the high standards of Shield AI.
You will collaborate closely with the System-Safety /Airworthiness Lead, Systems Engineering, and technical Responsible Engineers to maintain the safety baseline and Hazard Tracking System for X-BAT. This role is well suited for an engineer who enjoys analytical safety work, can adjust to the speed of innovation, thrives in cross-disciplinary technical environments, and takes ownership in driving system-level safety decisions.
What you'll do:
- Work with System-Safety / Airworthiness Lead to derive, refine, and validate safety requirements for the X-BAT platform and support systems.
- Apply system safety engineering methods (e.g. STPA, SSA, FTA, PHA, FMEA) to analyze subsystems, interfaces, and integrated architectures, identifying hazards and mitigation strategies.
- Guide engineering teams in allocating safety requirements and verifying mitigation effectiveness.
- Support development of the safety case and certification evidence for X-BAT.
- Partner with cybersecurity specialists to develop and validate cybersecurity related safety requirements.
- Collaborate with Systems Engineering to audit, refine, and assure the X-BAT Hazard Tracking System, ensuring accuracy, traceability, and closure of hazards.
- Assist in creating, reviewing, and maintaining airworthiness and technical safety documentation for X-BAT.
- Support mishap and near miss investigations for the X-BAT platform, providing technical system-level context.
- Participate in design reviews, safety working groups, and change boards to ensure safety considerations are integrated early in the design lifecycle.
- Contribute to risk assessments and support readiness reviews for test, integration, and operational events.
- Direct engagement with Customer and DoD System Safety representatives and alignment of systems, expectations and analysis.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (systems, aerospace, electrical, mechanical, or related field).
- 5–8+ years of experience in system safety, airworthiness, or mission-critical system engineering.
- Experience generating or maintaining hazard logs (HTS/Hazard Tracking Systems).
- Working knowledge of system safety processes and hazard analysis tools.
- Familiarity with requirements management and hazard tracking systems.
- Strong analytical and technical communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Preferred qualifications:
- Prior experience with UAS or autonomous aircraft platforms.
- Experience with MIL-STD-882, ARP-4761, STANAG safety frameworks, or similar.
- Familiarity with cybersecurity requirements for safety-critical systems.
- Experience generating or maintaining hazard logs (HTS/Hazard Tracking Systems).
- Experience working in fast-paced development or prototyping environments.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (systems, aerospace, electrical, mechanical, or related field)
- 5-8+ years of experience in system safety, airworthiness, or mission-critical system engineering
- Experience generating or maintaining hazard logs (HTS/Hazard Tracking Systems)
- Working knowledge of system safety processes and hazard analysis tools
- Familiarity with requirements management and hazard tracking systems
- Strong analytical and technical communication skills
- Ability to collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Prior experience with UAS or autonomous aircraft platforms
- Experience with MIL-STD-882, ARP-4761, STANAG safety frameworks, or similar
- Familiarity with cybersecurity requirements for safety-critical systems
- Experience working in fast-paced development or prototyping environments
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.
