a16z Senior Engineer, Cybersecurity (R5972)
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Summary
Leads cybersecurity for Shield AI's airborne defense platform — building the security architecture, performing threat modeling and vulnerability assessments, and driving DoD RMF authorization across avionics, aircraft networks, embedded software, and ground systems. Centered on NIST guidance, cryptography/key management, and security testing.
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, 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 . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
We are seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer to lead cybersecurity activities for an airborne aerospace and defense platform. This role will integrate cybersecurity across avionics, mission systems, aircraft networks, communications, embedded software, and ground-support systems.
What you'll do:
- Develop the platform’s cybersecurity architecture, requirements, and protection strategy.
- Perform threat modeling, vulnerability assessments, attack-surface analysis, and cyber risk assessments.
- Define protections for secure boot, authentication, access control, encryption, key management, software updates, and data communications.
- Apply defense-in-depth across aircraft systems, networks, radios, data links, and external interfaces.
- Lead DoD Risk Management Framework activities and develop required authorization evidence.
- Evaluate hardware, software, firmware, and supplier designs for cybersecurity risks.
- Develop cybersecurity verification plans and support vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and cyber-resiliency testing.
- Coordinate risk mitigation and corrective actions with engineering teams, suppliers, customers, and program leadership.
- Ensure cybersecurity solutions support aircraft safety, availability, and mission effectiveness.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, systems engineering, or a related field.
- Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree.
- Experience with aircraft, aerospace, defense, or other mission-critical embedded systems.
- Knowledge of avionics, mission systems, platform networks, communications, or data links.
- Experience with threat modeling, secure system architecture, vulnerability analysis, and security testing.
- Familiarity with DoD RMF, NIST security guidance, cryptography, and key management.
- Strong technical leadership, writing, and customer communication skills.
- Ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.
Preferred qualifications:
- Cybersecurity experience on military aircraft, unmanned aircraft, or airborne mission systems.
- Familiarity with NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-160, DO-326A, DO-355, and DO-356A.
- Experience with anti-tamper, program protection, supply-chain risk management, or cross-domain solutions.
- Experience supporting cyber testing, penetration testing, or adversarial assessments.
- Relevant certification such as CISSP, Security+, CEH, or GIAC.
- Active U.S. security clearance.
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
Skills
As published by lever · 19 questions · 9 written answers
Basics
Resume/CV, Full name, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL, Twitter URL, GitHub URL, Portfolio URL, Other website
Short answers (1)
- Please state your full legal name:
Pick from a list (9)
- Are you authorized to work in the United States?
- Will you require sponsorship for employment now or in the future?
- This position may require access to information and technology that is subject to export controls, such as EAR. Are you any of the following?
- Shield AI provides technology, services, and support to the United States military and allied forces with their various missions. If selected for employment with Shield AI, your contributions will directly relate to and/or support these missions. Are there any reasons why you would not be able to fully contribute in support of the U.S. military and allied forces?
- How did you hear about us?
- Are you a transitioning service member?
- If yes, what partnership program are you working with? optional
- Are you local to or willing to relocate? optional
- What office(s) would you be willing to relocate to? (Select all that apply) optional
Written answers (9)
- If yes, what type of sponsorship? optional
- If you selected "A protected Individual" OR "Other" to the above question, please explain further. optional
- (Optional) If you selected other or would like to expand on the above, feel free to do so below: optional
- If "Industry Conference" or "Other," please provide more details: optional
- If other, please provide further details optional
- When are you available to start your fellowship? optional
- When are you available for full time work? optional
- What full time job(s) are you applying for?
- If you selected international, what location(s)? optional