Shield AI
Develops AI-powered autonomous defense aircraft
Power Electronics Thermal Engineer Senior Staff
+ Bonus + Equity
About the job
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
- At least 7 years of professional experience in avionics or electronics thermal engineering.
- Strong expertise in heat transfer, including conduction, convection, and radiation, and in fluid mechanics.
- Deep understanding of active and passive cooling solutions and their integration at the component and system levels.
- Deep understanding of thermal management design elements, including thermal interface materials, spreaders, heat sinks, vapor chambers, heat pipes, and fans.
- Proficiency with thermal analysis and computational fluid dynamics tools such as ANSYS Icepak, FloEFD, and STAR-CCM+.
- Proficiency with computer-aided design tools such as NX, SolidWorks, or similar tools.
- Demonstrated experience applying first-principles reasoning to complex engineering problems.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of leading technical discussions and presenting to stakeholders.
- Proven ability to learn and adapt quickly to new tools, processes, and technical challenges in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Own thermal analysis and design efforts for unmanned aerial vehicle avionics, including custom power electronics.
- Develop and validate analytical, numerical, and computational models for heat transfer and fluid flow using hand calculations and computational fluid dynamics tools such as FloEFD.
- Provide technical leadership in trade studies, system architecture decisions, and risk assessments.
- Lead cross-functional teams designing power electronic circuits and environmental enclosures, and provide design requirements affecting circuit part selection, board layout, material selection, and other design aspects.
- Drive test planning, instrumentation, and data analysis to correlate models with experimental results.
- Mentor junior engineers and guide cross-disciplinary teams in applying thermal and fluid fundamentals.
- Communicate technical findings through executive-level briefings, design reviews, and written reports.
- Identify risks, propose solutions, and influence electrical and printed circuit board assembly design direction.
- Ability to obtain an S//SAR-level security clearance.
About the company
Shield AI develops AI-powered autonomous flight systems for defense, including unmanned aerial systems and an autonomous AI pilot called Hivemind. Hivemind works across platforms as a platform-agnostic autonomous operator that can sense, decide, and act to fly aircraft without human input, even in GPS-denied or communications-denied environments, and it is supported by a software stack with development tools, simulation, mission planning, and post-flight analysis. The company differentiates itself by offering GPS-denied, edge-computing autonomy that can be integrated into various airframes, along with in-house training and testing capabilities gained through strategic acquisitions. Its goal is to provide capable, reduced-risk autonomous air power for reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat support to defense customers such as U.S. and allied military branches.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Series G
Total Funding
$3.3B
Headquarters
San Diego, California
Founded
2015
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- March 2026 financing valued Shield AI at $12.7 billion.
- September 2026 Poland signed an X-BAT cooperation letter of intent.
- August 2026 DIU awarded X-BAT work, and Taiwan’s Navy budgeted 280 V-BATs.
What critics are saying
- Reuters reported more than fifty V-BAT crashes and a Romanian finger injury.
- A May lawsuit alleges Shield AI fired a worker for raising safety concerns.
- A V-BAT grounding would freeze military sales and sink the company’s autonomy moat.
What makes Shield AI unique
- Hivemind runs aircraft without GPS or comms, targeting contested battlefields.
- Shield AI pairs autonomy software with V-BAT and X-BAT hardware, plus simulation.
- Its 2026 Poland, Taiwan, and US military footholds give it export reach.
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Benefits
Medical Insurance Coverage
Long Term Disability Insurance
Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA
Employee Assistance Program
Subsidized Gym Membership
Pet Insurance
Competitive Compensation
Retirement Services
Life Insurance
Parental Leave
Bereavement Support
Flexible Work Hours
PTO
Paid Holidays
Commuter Benefits
Relaxed Dress Code
Yearly Swag Items
Unlimited Snacks
Bottomless Beverages
Annual Celebrations
Work From Home Benefits
Standing Desks and Widescreen Monitors
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↓ -1%2 year growth
↓ -2%Shield AI, Waabi and GM talk mission-critical AI at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Tl;dr. * Shield AI, Waabi, and General Motors leaders will headline the Real World AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 for a session on building AI when failure is not an option. * The panel will dig into safety-critical autonomy across defense drones, autonomous trucking, and next-gen automotive, from validation and regulation to earning public trust. * Disrupt 2026 takes place October 13-15 in San Francisco, with attendees able to save up to $200 plus get 50% off a second pass if they register before September 25. Who is speaking. The Real World AI Stage session brings together three leaders operating where AI mistakes carry real-world consequences. Representing defense tech is Brandon Tseng, Co-Founder and President of Shield AI, the company behind the Hivemind autonomy stack and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft now deployed across U.S. and allied operations. Representing autonomous trucking is Raquel Urtasun, Founder and CEO of Waabi, whose AI-first, simulator-driven approach to driverless long-haul freight has made it one of the most closely watched autonomy startups in the world. Rounding out the panel from automotive is Barak Turovsky, Executive Vice President and Chief AI Officer at General Motors, where he leads enterprise AI strategy spanning manufacturing, in-vehicle assistants, advanced driver assistance, and future autonomy efforts. Together, the trio spans the full spectrum of mission-critical AI - from contested battlefields to interstate highways to consumer vehicles. Why this conversation matters now. AI has moved well beyond chatbots and copilots. In 2026, the most consequential race is in the physical world, where models control aircraft, 80,000-pound trucks, and cars carrying families. That shift has raised the bar dramatically. Unlike software that can fail gracefully, safety-critical autonomy demands rigorous testing, redundancy, formal verification, and a culture built around reliability. It also faces intense scrutiny from regulators, the Pentagon, highway safety officials, and a skeptical public. TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is leaning into that moment with its dedicated Real World AI Stage, focused on founders and technologists deploying AI outside the data center. This session is positioned as its anchor panel - a look at what it actually takes to ship AI when lives are on the line. Three industries, one challenge. Defense, Trucking, and Automotive While the domains look different, the core engineering problem is strikingly similar: how do you prove an autonomous system is safe enough? In defense, Shield AI is building AI pilots designed to operate without GPS or communications in contested environments. The company argues that autonomy, not just attrition, will define deterrence, and that means software must be trusted to make split-second decisions under fire. In trucking, Waabi is tackling long-haul freight, one of the clearest near-term business cases for autonomy. With its closed-loop Waabi World simulator and end-to-end interpretable AI stack, the company is focused on solving the long tail of edge cases and scaling driverless operations with partners like Uber Freight and Volvo Autonomous Solutions. At GM, the challenge is scale at a consumer level. With millions of vehicles on the road, Super Cruise hands-free driving, OnStar integration, and new generative AI features, GM has to balance rapid innovation with automotive-grade safety, cybersecurity, and quality control. Expect the panel to compare notes on simulation vs. real-world miles, safety cases, human oversight, and how much autonomy is enough. Key themes to watch. Building AI When Failure Is Not An Option According to TechCrunch, the discussion will go beyond hype to the operational realities of mission-critical AI. Key themes include verification and validation for neural networks, building redundant and interpretable systems, navigating FAA, FMCSA, NHTSA and DoD procurement hurdles, and earning trust from soldiers, truck drivers, and everyday drivers. Another big topic will be the role of generative AI and foundation models in robotics. All three companies are now blending large-scale learning with physics-based safety guardrails - an approach that could define the next era of autonomy. The panel will also likely address talent, cost, and competition with China, as U.S. defense primes, startups, and automakers all race to field reliable autonomous systems first. How to see it at Disrupt 2026. Dates, Tickets and Discount Deadline TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 runs October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, bringing together more than 10,000 founders, investors, and operators. The Shield AI, Waabi, and GM session will take place on the Real World AI Stage, one of several specialized stages alongside the main Disrupt Stage, Startup Battlefield, and expo floor. For readers planning to attend, TechCrunch is offering a limited-time deal: save up to $200 on Disrupt passes plus get 50% off a second pass when you register before September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT. After that deadline, ticket prices increase. With autonomy moving from pilot programs to real deployment in defense, freight, and personal mobility, this is one panel where the stakes - and the lessons - go far beyond Silicon Valley. AndroGuider Team Articles written by the AndroGuider team. Androguider try to make them thorough and informational while being easy to read.
Shield AI, Waabi, and General Motors on building AI when failure is not an option at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Sep 24, 2026 - 17:45 Leaders from Waabi, Shield AI, and General Motors join the Real World AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to talk building AI. Save up to $200 by Sept. 25, 11:59 p.m. PT. Get a second pass at 50% off.
Why is defense startup Shield AI nearing a $20 billion valuation in 2026? Shield AI is reportedly in talks for a $20 billion valuation in 2026. Learn why investors are betting big on autonomous defense AI and what it means now. If you're planning to build a scalable product, choosing the right service is critical. Its expertise includes Mobile App Development, UI/UX Design, AI Automation. Shield AI, a San Diego-based defense technology company known for its autonomous drone and aircraft software, is reportedly in advanced talks with investors to raise new funding at a valuation of at least $20 billion. For founders, CTOs, and SME leaders watching the AI investment landscape, this signals something bigger than one company's success story: defense AI has become one of the most capital-intensive, highest-conviction bets in the entire technology sector. What is the concept. Shield AI builds autonomous systems, most notably its Hivemind AI pilot software and the V-BAT unmanned aircraft, designed to operate in GPS-denied and communications-degraded environments. Unlike consumer-facing AI products, Shield AI's technology is built for contested battlefields where a human operator cannot always be in the loop. A reported valuation north of $20 billion would place it among the most valuable venture-backed defense startups in the world, alongside peers like Anduril. The contrarian insight here is that defense AI is not simply 'AI plus weapons.' It is a distinct engineering discipline built around autonomy under uncertainty, a capability that has direct commercial parallels in logistics, industrial robotics, and any operation where connectivity cannot be guaranteed. Why it matters now (2025-2026 context). Defense budgets across the US, Europe, and allied nations have shifted decisively toward autonomous and software-defined systems, driven by lessons from modern conflicts where cheap, AI-guided drones have outperformed legacy platforms at a fraction of the cost. Investors are not just funding hardware; they are funding the software layer that makes fleets of low-cost drones behave like a coordinated, intelligent force. A $20 billion valuation talk also reflects a broader capital reallocation: venture funds that once avoided defense on ethical or reputational grounds are now treating it as core infrastructure investment, similar to cloud computing in the 2010s. How AI is changing this. The named framework worth understanding here is what industry insiders call 'mesh autonomy' - a model where individual AI-piloted units share situational data and make coordinated decisions without a central human controller for every action. This is the same underlying architecture pattern (distributed decision-making plus shared context) that is starting to show up in commercial fleet management, warehouse robotics, and multi-agent business automation. For non-defense businesses, the unique concept to borrow is 'autonomy under degraded conditions': systems designed to keep functioning intelligently even when the network, data, or environment is imperfect, rather than systems that only work in ideal lab conditions. Real-World examples. Shield AI's V-BAT has been adopted by the US Marine Corps and allied navies for ship-based reconnaissance, and its Hivemind software has been tested to fly platforms like the F-16 without a pilot. Anduril Industries, a direct competitor, has followed a similar trajectory of rapid valuation growth by combining autonomous hardware with an AI-first software stack rather than treating software as an add-on. The founder mistake many companies make, inside and outside defense, is under-investing in the software and data layer while over-investing in hardware. Shield AI's rising valuation is a signal that markets now reward companies where autonomy software, not the physical platform, is the primary moat. Practical insights / actions. Business leaders evaluating AI investments in 2026 should look past the headline valuation and ask three questions: does the AI system work reliably when conditions are imperfect, does it reduce dependence on scarce human expertise, and does it create a defensible data or software moat rather than a hardware one. These questions apply equally to a defense startup and a mid-market SaaS company automating operations. The hidden opportunity for SMEs and enterprise teams is that many of the autonomy and reliability engineering patterns pioneered in defense AI are becoming available through commercial AI automation platforms, at a fraction of the cost, for use cases like logistics routing, predictive maintenance, and workforce automation. Future outlook. If Shield AI closes a round at or above a $20 billion valuation, expect a wave of follow-on capital into adjacent autonomy and defense-tech startups through 2026, alongside growing enterprise interest in applying the same reliability-first AI design principles to non-military operations. Companies that treat AI reliability as a core product requirement, rather than an afterthought, will be best positioned to capture this shift. Conclusion. Shield AI's reported $20 billion valuation talks are less about one company's fundraising and more about a market signal: AI systems built to work reliably under real-world uncertainty are now the most valuable category of applied AI. Businesses that want to apply this same reliability-first thinking to their own automation and AI adoption strategy can work with teams like RP SoftTech, which builds practical AI and automation solutions designed to perform under real operating conditions rather than just in demos. About RP SoftTech: RP SoftTech is a software development company helping startups and SMEs build mobile apps, web platforms, and AI automation systems. Contact RP SoftTech or explore its services. Suggested reading. Shield AI valuation defense AI startup Shield AI funding round AI defense technology 2026 military AI investment Looking to build a similar solution?
Shield AI, a startup building drones and AI-powered software for the military, is in talks to raise new funds at a valuation of at least $20 billion, according to a person with knowledge of the fundraise. The funding round, if it closes, would represent a roughly 60% increase to Shield’s ...
Poland to produce X-BAT autonomous fighter drones. Shield AI, Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), and Military Aircraft Works No. 2 - WZL-2 have signed a Letter of Intent regarding cooperation in the design, production, and delivery of the X-BAT, as well as its maintenance in Poland. The X-BAT is an AI-piloted unmanned fighter that takes off and lands vertically, allowing it to operate from small areas, ships, and roads instead of runways. In accordance with the Letter, the parties will determine the nature of the PGZ Group's participation in the design, production and delivery of the X-BAT for customers in Poland and other countries. According to the announcement, the arrangements also cover current Shield AI products, including Hivemind autonomous software and the V-BAT aircraft, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), training, participation in the Shield AI supply chain, and technology transfer and development. The scope of cooperation extends beyond the two Polish signatories and includes other PGZ Group companies. WZL-2, one of the largest aviation plants in Poland and part of a group of companies of strategic importance to Poland's defence, is already developing maintenance capabilities for the F110 engine family, which powers the X-BAT. The detailed division of tasks and locations will be determined in the final agreements, on which the three companies will now begin work. The Letter of Intent is valid for five years. PGZ is prepared to undertake demanding industrial tasks related to advanced autonomous systems, and the X-BAT is exactly such a programme. Defence24 Ltd. possess the potential to involve companies from various areas of the Group's operations in this cooperation, utilising their experience in aviation production, systems integration, maintenance, and securing the entire equipment life cycle. Defence24 Ltd. want Poland to be not only a recipient of a ready-made solution but also an active industrial partner involved in building and developing this type of capability. This is an opportunity to acquire new competences, include Polish enterprises in the international supply chain, and create a sustainable domestic base for the maintenance and further development of the system for the needs of the Polish Armed Forces Adam Leszkiewicz, President of the Management Board of PGZ S.A. WZL-2 has been responsible for the maintenance and support of F-16 and C-130 aircraft operated by the Polish Armed Forces for many years. Defence24 Ltd. is currently preparing to expand its competences to include work related to the F110 engine family, which is to provide the power source for the X-BAT. Its experience, combined with technical potential, infrastructure and, above all, qualified personnel, can provide a solid basis for building a domestic maintenance facility for this system in Poland. Defence24 Ltd. want the development of new aviation capabilities for the Polish Armed Forces to be closely linked to the parallel strengthening of domestic industrial and service potential added Jakub Gazda, President of the Management Board of WZL-2 Poland is investing in advanced technologies on a scale that few countries in Europe can match and is building institutions that enable the rapid deployment of these technologies. PGZ and WZL-2 already provide maintenance for Polish combat aircraft. Defence24 Ltd. want this industrial base to build and support the X-BAT for both Poland and export said Ryan Tseng, CEO, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Shield AI In June, Prime Minister Donald Tusk spoke about the possibility of Poland developing an autonomous combat aircraft programme together with Shield AI, including domestic production. A few days later, the Armament Agency selected the V-BAT for the Polish Navy, with deliveries scheduled for the latter part of 2026. X-BAT is an unmanned, multi-role strike fighter with a low-observable design. It has a combat radius of 1,000 nautical miles and can carry up to 2,000 pounds of ordnance in internal bays, the dimensions of which correspond to those of the F-35. An 80-kilowatt electrical system powers the electronic warfare, radar, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, operating within an open mission architecture. The X-BAT is powered by the GE Aerospace F110 engine, and its flight trials will begin this year. The aircraft can operate both in cooperation with manned fighters and independently.