Shield AI is seeking an experienced X-BAT Technical Writer / Editor to support the development, integration, and operational lifecycle of next-generation autonomous aircraft systems. This role is embedded within engineering and flight test environments and is responsible for translating highly complex aerospace, avionics, and autonomy systems into precise, usable technical documentation.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience working alongside engineers and subject matter experts to produce clear, structured documentation across all program phases, from early design and system development through initial flight testing and sustained mission operations. This position will directly support X-BAT platform documentation, including operator manuals, maintenance procedures, system descriptions, and mission support materials.
What you'll do:
- Partner closely with aerospace, software, and systems engineers to develop accurate, high-fidelity technical documentation for advanced aircraft systems
- Manage multiple documentation efforts across development, flight test, and operational phases in a fast-paced, iterative environment
- Translate complex engineering concepts, including avionics, autonomy, and mission systems, into clear, structured guidance for operators, maintainers, and internal teams
- Review and edit technical content for accuracy, clarity, consistency, and adherence to program standards
- Research and interpret engineering artifacts such as system architectures, design specifications, interface control documents, software descriptions, and test procedures
- Aggregate and synthesize technical inputs from cross-functional teams, including flight test, hardware, software, and operations
- Develop and maintain technical manuals, including aircraft operating procedures, maintenance manuals, troubleshooting guides, training materials, and mission documentation
- Ensure documentation aligns with evolving system configurations and reflects real-world operational use cases
- Create and manage supporting visuals such as system diagrams, workflows, illustrations, and annotated graphics
- Identify gaps, inconsistencies, or missing technical information and proactively drive resolution with engineering teams
- Maintain documentation standards, templates, and version control across a growing body of technical publications
- Support rapid updates to documentation based on flight test results, system changes, and operational feedback
- Fulfill additional responsibilities as required in support of X-BAT program objectives
Required qualifications:
- 5–10 years of technical writing/editing experience, preferably in aerospace, defense, or complex engineering systems
- Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing, Engineering, English, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining technical manuals for aircraft systems, complex hardware/software platforms, or similar domains
- Proven ability to work directly with engineers and subject matter experts to extract and document technical information
- Strong understanding of structured documentation practices and lifecycle documentation management
- Exceptional writing, editing, and organizational skills with a focus on clarity and precision
- Ability to distill complex system behavior into concise, user-focused documentation
- High attention to detail and consistency across large documentation sets
- Self-sufficient, proactive work style with the ability to manage competing priorities under tight timelines
- Ability to identify missing, ambiguous, or conflicting technical information
- Comfortable working across distributed teams and time zones
- Interest in working in a fast-moving, non-traditional defense and aerospace environment
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with advanced aircraft systems, UAVs, autonomy, avionics, or mission systems documentation
- Familiarity with DoD technical manual standards and specifications (e.g., MIL-STD, S1000D, or service-specific formats)
- Experience using MadCap Flare or similar structured authoring tools
- Background in flight test documentation or operational procedure development
- Defense industry or aerospace program experience
- Master’s degree in English, Technical Communication, or a related discipline
- Project management experience supporting complex technical programs
- Experience leveraging AI-assisted tools to enhance documentation workflows
Skills Required
- 5-10 years of technical writing/editing experience (preferably aerospace, defense, or complex engineering systems)
- Bachelor's degree in Technical Writing, Engineering, English, or related field
- Experience developing and maintaining technical manuals for aircraft systems or complex hardware/software platforms
- Proven ability to work directly with engineers and subject matter experts to extract technical information
- Strong understanding of structured documentation practices and lifecycle documentation management
- Exceptional writing, editing, and organizational skills focused on clarity and precision
- Ability to distill complex system behavior into concise, user-focused documentation
- High attention to detail and consistency across large documentation sets
- Self-sufficient, proactive work style with ability to manage competing priorities under tight timelines
- Ability to identify missing, ambiguous, or conflicting technical information
- Comfortable working across distributed teams and time zones
- Interest in working in a fast-moving, non-traditional defense and aerospace environment
- Experience with advanced aircraft systems, UAVs, autonomy, avionics, or mission systems documentation
- Familiarity with DoD technical manual standards and specifications (e.g., MIL-STD, S1000D)
- Experience using MadCap Flare or similar structured authoring tools
- Background in flight test documentation or operational procedure development
- Defense industry or aerospace program experience
- Master's degree in English, Technical Communication, or related discipline
- Project management experience supporting complex technical programs
- Experience leveraging AI-assisted tools to enhance documentation workflows
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
At Shield AI, you won't wait years to see your work reach the field. You'll build hardware and software that operates in the real world right now, in the hands of the people who depend on it. Hivemind, our AI pilot, has been flying since 2018. It has flown more than 30 platforms, including an F-16, and it now sits under a U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. When you write code or shape a system here, you contribute to technology with a proven flight record and a clear production future. V-BAT flies intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with an operational record that stretches from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. It delivers eyes where they matter most, in the most demanding conditions on earth. The teams behind it watch their work get tested where the stakes are real. X-BAT takes its first flight this year. It's an AI-piloted fighter that needs no runway, built to operate where traditional aircraft can't. Join now and you help shape a program at its earliest, most formative stage. That's the kind of ground-floor work that defines a career. Do the most impactful work of your life, on problems that matter. Autonomy at this level asks a lot of you. You'll take on problems in perception, planning, and control that few teams anywhere are equipped to solve. You'll work across disciplines, from aerospace and robotics to machine learning and systems engineering, alongside people who hold themselves to an exacting standard and expect the same from you. Our mission is clear: protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. That purpose runs through every decision, every design review, and every deployment. It's why the work here carries a weight you can feel. Ready to join our mission? Explore our open roles and find where you fit.
Why Work With Us
Founded in 2015 by a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI builds AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft. Veterans aren't an afterthought here, they're at every level. It's why the work carries weight: AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft flying real missions, from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, protecting service members and civilians.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
