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 Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. 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
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Job Description:
The Chief Engineer at Shield AI is responsible for solving complex technical challenges in deploying advanced autonomy solutions on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). As the chief authority on system architecture, design, development, risk mitigation, and product quality. The Chief Engineer ensures the successful integration of Hivemind Autonomy across a range of aircraft, from Group 2 propeller aircraft to Group 5 jets. This role is part of the Hivemind Solutions organization and leads a team of team of engineers to deliver cutting-edge autonomous capabilities for business-to-business and defense contracts. The ideal candidate has defense industry experience as a Chief Engineer and a proven track record of leading technical teams to develop and deploy autonomous systems.
What you'll do:
Serve as the Chief Engineer on Shield AI projects focused on developing and deploying autonomy solutions for unmanned aircraft from group 2 to group 5.
Lead a team responsible for advancing Hivemind Autonomy and shaping defense autonomy architectures.
Define and assign technical objectives, make key engineering decisions, and ensure the quality and completeness of all technical deliverables
Provide technical leadership and oversight across both Internal Research and Development (IRAD) initiatives and defense contracts.
Required qualifications:
BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree
10+ years of industry experience in autonomy and/or UAS platforms (e.g., defense tech, self-driving car, etc.)
7+ years of delivering software into production/certifiable environments with high-reliability
Understanding of guidance, control and navigation (GNC) (e.g. controls, estimation, planning)
Understanding of robotics stack (e.g., controls, estimation, perception, planning, etc.)
Understanding of software development processes and how to effectively deploy software
Experience defining technical scope and managing technical requirements, product architectures, ICDs and other system level design documentation
Demonstrate problem solving skills by applying a scientific technical approach
Customer-facing engineering leader supporting both defense and internally funded development programs
Contribute to government contract proposal writing
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Excellent leadership skills, driving a team of 6-20 engineers
Preferred qualifications:
UK security clearance
