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Shield AI

a16z — Backed by a16z
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Senior V-BAT Air Vehicle Operator, Deployed Operations Site Lead

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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:
The Senior Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) – Deployment Operations is responsible for executing and leading V-BAT flight operations in support of DoD and foreign customers in both land-based and maritime OCONUS environments. This is an operationally focused role requiring strong aviation judgment, disciplined execution, and the ability to lead small teams in austere and high-visibility conditions.
The Senior AVO is responsible for leading mission planning activities, performing comprehensive risk assessments, delivering pre-mission briefings, executing flight operations, and conducting structured post-flight debriefs. This role includes conducting Functional Check Flights (FCFs) and system validation as required, ensuring aircraft configuration control and logbook accuracy, coordinating with maintenance to sustain fleet readiness, and supporting overall operational discipline. The Senior AVO will mentor junior operators, serve as the on-site operational representative to customers, and travel extensively in support of deployments.
This is not an entry-level flight operations role. The ideal candidate brings strong aviation fundamentals, disciplined cockpit habits, and mature operational decision-making. They must be comfortable leading deployments, briefing customers, managing risk in dynamic environments, and maintaining professionalism in high-visibility settings. The Senior AVO must balance mission execution with customer satisfaction while upholding the highest standards of safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications:

  • Minimum of 2000 documented unmanned flight hours or 1000 manned flight hours
  • Demonstrated instructor experience (manned or unmanned aviation)
  • FAA Private Pilot License (PPL)
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
  • Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate
  • Ability to obtain and hold a Secret DoD security clearance
  • Ability to pass background, drug screening, and customer-required medical/dental screenings
  • Willingness to travel up to 50–75% in support of deployments
  • Ability to lead and operate independently in small teams under austere conditions
  • Strong aviation judgment, decision-making, and risk management skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • FAA Instrument Rating and/or Commercial Pilot License
  • Experience operating as aircrew on manned aircraft
  • Prior military service, particularly with overseas or deployed operations
  • Maritime or shipboard UAS operational experience
  • Previous experience as a Site Lead or in a leadership role overseeing aviation operations
#LI-JM1
#LD

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.
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What this application asks

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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
  • This role is based in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Are you currently local or willing to relocate? choose one
  • Which of the following do you currently hold or are actively pursuing? yes / no · optional
  • Do you have deployment experience? choose one
  • Do you have manned or unmanned flight hours? choose one
  • Do you have experience flying the V-BAT? If so, how many flight hours?
  • Are you willing to travel up to 50-75% in support of deployments? choose one
  • This role requires eligibility for a U.S. security clearance. The company will sponsor and manage the clearance process. To the best of your knowledge, are you eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance? choose one
  • This role requires eligibility for an FAA Class 2 Medical Certificate. To the best of your knowledge, do you currently hold a valid FAA medical certificate at the Class 2 level or higher, or are you eligible to obtain one? choose one

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