Our Applications Engineers are highly technical, customer-facing problem solvers who play a critical role in deploying Shield AI’s Hivemind software in real-world environments.
In this role, you will work closely with customers to understand their requirements, provide technical expertise and customer support during deployment, and ensure successful integration of Hivemind. You’ll also collaborate internally with engineering teams to develop and test new autonomy capabilities.
This role is travel-intensive, with frequent trips, often international, and sometimes lasting multiple weeks, to work directly alongside customers on-site.
What you'll do:
- Deploy with customers on site (~50% travel) to support software integration and development activities.
- Become an expert user of the Hivemind enterprise software stack and its various autonomy modules.
- Provide technical support and training to customers on use of Hivemind.
- Develop AI & Autonomy applications using the Shield AI enterprise software development kit.
- Assist the sales team in pre-sales activities, e.g., demos, conferences, immersions
- Assist in post-sales deployment and integration of Shield AI enterprise software products.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation and training materials.
- Help customers debug software/API integration issues.
- Collaborate with the product engineering team to address customer feedback and improve products.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, and 7+ years of industry experience, OR
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, and 5+ years of industry experience.
- Strong technical background in software engineering.
- Strong proficiency in writing modern C++ code.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience in the defense, aviation, autonomy, or robotics industry.
- Prior experience as a customer-facing solutions engineer, application engineer, or sales engineer.
- Experience operating in a fast-paced, startup-like, environment.
- Advanced technical degree, especially in robotics or autonomy related fields
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 7+ years industry experience OR Master's degree with 5+ years industry experience
- Strong technical background in software engineering
- Proficiency writing modern C++ code
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently (approximately 50%, including international trips)
- Experience in defense, aviation, autonomy, or robotics
- Prior customer-facing experience as a solutions/application/sales engineer
- Experience working in fast-paced, startup-like environments
- Advanced technical degree (especially in robotics or autonomy)
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.
