The posting, in Shield AI's own words
archived Oct 9, 2026Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
What you'll do:
System Integration & Deployment — Integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft systems, ensuring seamless operation across onboard compute, sensors, and control interfaces. Pre-flight Preparation — Own the build, configuration, and validation process for flight-ready systems; coordinate hardware/software compatibility and mission readiness. On-site Flight Test Support — Travel to test sites and support live flight operations, including safety checks, system bring-up, and troubleshooting under time-critical constraints. Hardware/Software Debugging — Diagnose and resolve integration issues across complex autonomy software stacks and embedded systems in lab and field environments. Flight Data Capture & Analysis — Manage data collection during missions and post-test analysis, working with autonomy engineers to refine behaviors and identify improvements. Collaboration Across Teams — Work closely with autonomy, GNC, systems, and test teams to ensure mission-critical functionality is delivered on time and validated thoroughly. Continuous Improvement — Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines, flight test reliability, and team efficiency across deployment cycles. Support Certification and Compliance — Assist with documentation and system-level validation required for certification, airworthiness, and compliance in defense-relevant environments. Travel Requirement – Members of this team typically travel around 30-40% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and flight integration events).
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Required Qualifications:
BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 5 years and a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience. Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python, and familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS) Proficiency in Linux-based development and experience working with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics. Knowledge of sensor integration, sensor fusion, and middleware frameworks (e.g., ROS, DDS). Hands-on experience supporting flight demos or live exercises. Experience with simulation tools and environments (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) for testing and validation. Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance. Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Direct experience supporting unmanned aerial systems or similar flight test campaigns. Familiarity with autonomy stacks, flight control systems, or GNC pipelines. Competence in sensor integration, electronics debugging, or avionics bring-up. Proficiency in developing automation tools for system testing, logging, and data parsing. Comfortable interfacing with government stakeholders during field events or technical reviews. Experience with UCI and OMS Standards.