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Shield AI

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Senior Staff Engineer, GCS / Communications Systems (R5020)

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 GCS / Communications Systems Engineer to lead the development, integration, and validation of ground control station and communication architectures supporting advanced military aircraft and autonomous systems. This role directly impacts mission effectiveness, command and control reliability, platform connectivity, and operational resiliency by ensuring robust communication between air, ground, and distributed mission systems.

The engineer will define system behaviors, operational workflows, and communication architectures across the full lifecycle, from concept development through flight and operational test. This role plays a critical part in reducing integration risk, improving network resiliency, and accelerating deployment of mission-critical communication capabilities.

What you'll do:

    • Define GCS and communication system behaviors, operational workflows, and activity diagrams to ensure reliable command, control, telemetry, payload, and mission data exchange

    • Develop and integrate communication architectures including RF links, SATCOM, LOS/BLOS datalinks, networking infrastructure, antennas, encryption devices, and mission control interfaces

    • Lead cross-functional integration between avionics, mission systems, networking, cybersecurity, software, and test teams to improve system interoperability and reduce integration risk

    • Develop and validate interface definitions, network architectures, link budgets, and communication performance requirements for airborne and ground-based systems

    • Support lab, field, and flight test activities to troubleshoot communication issues, validate network performance, and improve operational resiliency and mission readiness

    Required qualifications:

      • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field

      • 5+ years of experience in communications systems, networking, mission systems, or military aerospace integration

      • Experience with GCS architectures, datalinks, RF systems, networking, or airborne communication systems

      • Familiarity with LOS/BLOS communications, SATCOM, IP networking, encryption technologies, and hardware/software integration environments

      • Strong systems engineering, troubleshooting, and cross-functional communication skills

      • Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

      Preferred qualifications:

        • Experience supporting UAV, fighter aircraft, autonomous systems, or military communication networks

        • Experience defining operational behaviors, activity diagrams, CONOPS, or system architectures using MBSE tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler

        • Background in integration labs, flight test, network resiliency, or tactical communication systems

        • Familiarity with cybersecurity, RMF, resilient communications, and contested environment operations

        • Active Secret or Top Secret clearance preferred

        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.

        ###

        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.

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        What this application asks

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        Name, Email, Resume

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        • Are you authorized to work in the United States? choose one
        • Will you require sponsorship for employment now or in the future? choose one
        • If yes, what type of sponsorship? written answer · optional
        • This position may require access to information and technology that is subject to export controls, such as EAR. Are you any of the following? choose one
        • If you selected "A protected Individual" OR "Other" to the above question, please explain further. written answer · optional
        • 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? choose one
        • (Optional) If you selected other or would like to expand on the above, feel free to do so below: written answer · optional
        • How did you hear about us? choose one
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        • Are you a transitioning service member? choose one
        • If yes, what partnership program are you working with? choose one · optional
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        • When are you available to start your fellowship? written answer · optional
        • When are you available for full time work? written answer · optional
        • What full time job(s) are you applying for? written answer
        • Are you local to or willing to relocate? choose one
        • What office(s) would you be willing to relocate to? (Select all that apply) choose any · optional
        • If you selected international, what location(s)? written answer · optional
        • Do you have, or are you able to obtain, a S/SAR clearance? choose one · optional
        • This position requires an Active or the eligibility to obtain a U.S. DoD Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). choose one · optional

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