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Shield AI

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Senior Staff Engineer, Weapons Systems (SD/TX/DC) (R5019)

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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 Weapons Systems Engineer to lead the integration, validation, and operational deployment of advanced weapon capabilities on X-Bat. This role directly impacts mission readiness, combat effectiveness, aircraft survivability, and program execution by ensuring weapon systems are successfully integrated, tested, and fielded to operational users.

The engineer will work across the full lifecycle from requirements development through flight test, helping reduce integration risk, accelerate capability delivery, and improve overall mission system performance.

What you'll do:

  • Define weapon system behaviors, operational sequences, and mission workflows to ensure reliable and predictable weapon employment across all phases of operation
  • Develop system architectures, activity diagrams, interface definitions, and functional behaviors for aircraft weapon systems and mission system integration
  • Lead integration of weapon systems, stores management systems, and avionics interfaces while coordinating across software, avionics, flight sciences, mechanical design, and test teams
  • Support lab, ground, and flight test activities to validate system behavior, identify integration issues early, and improve mission system reliability
  • Perform troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action development to reduce integration risk, improve operational readiness, and accelerate capability fielding

    • Required qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
  • 5+ years of experience in military aerospace, mission systems, avionics, or weapon systems integration
  • Experience defining system behavior, operational concepts, activity diagrams, or functional architectures for complex aerospace systems
  • Familiarity with MIL-STD-1760, MIL-STD-1553, 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 fighter aircraft, UAV, bomber, or advanced military aircraft programs
  • Experience with MBSE methodologies and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler
  • Background in HIL/SIL integration labs, flight test, or operational weapon system validation
  • Familiarity with airworthiness, cybersecurity, and resilient mission systems
  • Active Secret or Top Secret clearance preferred
    • #LI-AD6
    #LE

    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

    lever

    Which location are you applying for?, Resume/CV, Full name, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL, Twitter URL, GitHub URL, Portfolio URL, Other website

    • 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
    • If "Industry Conference" or "Other," please provide more details: written answer · optional
    • Please state your full legal name:
    • Are you a transitioning service member? choose one
    • If yes, what partnership program are you working with? choose one · optional
    • If other, please provide further details written answer · optional
    • 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 · optional
    • What office(s) would you be willing to relocate to? (Select all that apply) yes / no · 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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