Electrical Engineer 1 - SD
About the job
- Have a degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
- Strong technical fundamentals
- Have been part of an engineering team/club
- Experience with electrical design software, Altium, KiCAD, etc.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired
- Own a design that directly impacts the X-BAT system and major flight test milestones. A senior engineer is assigned as a direct mentor to provide technical review and professional feedback.
- Full lifecycle ownership: concept, design, verification, integration, flight test, and manufacturing
- Design efforts include: Circuit design for our embedded system. You will design with analog, digital, power conversion, high-speed, FPGA, MCU, EMI/EMC, etc.
- System integration and verification
- Environmental test, qualification, and automation
- Debug, root cause, and drive resolution
- Systems must be designed for high-reliability, radiation, aggressive temperature changes, and high magnitude vibration
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
- Reuters reported March 26, 2026 funding at $12.7 billion, led by Advent and JPMorgan.
- Shield AI projected over $540 million revenue in 2026, up more than 80%.
- September 30, 2026 X-BAT site selection in Kansas and Washington targets 9,800 jobs.
What critics are saying
- X-BAT remains pre-production; flight tests start in 2026, with deliveries targeted for 2029.
- Shield AI's $12.7 billion March 26, 2026 valuation trails rumored $20 billion expectations.
- Air Force CCA dependence concentrates revenue; program delays or re-bids hit Shield AI hard.
What makes Shield AI unique
- Hivemind won U.S. Air Force CCA production on June 17, 2026.
- Hivemind flew Anduril's YFQ-44A on February 26, 2026, proving platform-agnostic autonomy.
- V-BAT secured Poland's Navy contract on June 23, 2026, validating combat-ready ISR.
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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 has selected Newton, Kansas and Des Moines, Washington as the flight test and production sites for its X-BAT AI-piloted fighter jet. X-Forge 2 in Newton will handle flight testing and sustainment, whilst X-Forge 3 in Des Moines will manage production. The programme is projected to support approximately 9,800 jobs by the early 2030s. Economic analysis estimates the initiative will add roughly $5 billion to the Newton economy and $73 billion to the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue region through 2046. X-BAT is designed as a vertical takeoff and landing strike fighter with a 1,000 nautical mile combat radius. Powered by GE Aerospace's F110 engine, the aircraft will operate on Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy software. Production is planned to begin in 2029, with flight testing commencing later this year.
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 ...