Full-Time
Senior Engineer
Build and CI
Shield AI
1,001-5,000 employees
Develops AI-powered autonomous defense drone systems
Compensation Overview
$120k - $180k/yr
San Diego, CA, USA
In Person
 DevOps & Infrastructure (1) |
|---|
- BS in computer science or related engineering field with 3+ years of professional experience.
- Experience with configuration management tools (Makefile, CMake, Conan, Bazel, etc.)
- Strong demonstrated proficiency in continuous integration/delivery (e.g. Github Actions, ADO, TeamCity, etc.).
- Strong understanding of C++ (or other compiled language), Linux and CMake
- Strong knowledge of APIs, web services, and identity access management
- Strong knowledge of containers (e.g. Docker, Podman, etc.).
- Strong knowledge of scripting languages (Bash, Python, PowerShell).
- Strong knowledge of Git.
- Strong system administration in Linux (w/ Windows a bonus).
- Strong desire to learn and grow on the job.
- Embed with a product engineering team as their primary Software Operations partner, working closely with engineers to improve how software is built, tested, and delivered.
- Design, implement, and continuously improve build pipelines, CI workflows, and supporting tooling with a focus on scalability, reliability, and developer experience.
- Apply strong C++ and/or Go software development experience to build and maintain robust build and CI solutions.
- Reduce iteration time and friction by improving build performance, test reliability, and CI feedback loops.
- Debug and resolve complex build, test, and CI failures using disciplined root-cause analysis.
- Influence technical direction without formal authority by earning trust through collaboration, technical credibility, and a deep understanding of team and program constraints.
- Promote best practices in build hygiene, CI/CD design, dependency management, and software development workflows that scale across teams and programs.
- Apply knowledge of software design patterns and architectural principles to design maintainable CI systems and build abstractions.
- Coach and mentor product engineers on build and CI topics, helping teams make better design decisions and understand tradeoffs.
- Represent the Software Operations organization within the product team, acting as a bridge between platform capabilities and product needs.
- Advocate for practical, production-ready solutions that improve developer productivity without sacrificing velocity or quality.
- Strong Experience with Conan Package Manager
- Experience with Rust in a production environment.
- Experience with Hardware in the Loop build/deploy/test systems
- Experience owning build infrastructure
- Experience with NVIDIA Jetson products
Shield AI builds AI-powered autonomous systems for defense, focusing on drones and related technologies that can operate without GPS or communications. Its products include autonomous drones and AI software that can sense, plan, and act in complex environments to support military operations while keeping people safe. The company differentiates itself through defense-grade autonomy capabilities, the ability to operate in GPS-denied areas, and a strategic footprint that includes acquisitions (e.g., Martin UAV) and prime roles on large government contracts like the EWAAC program. Its goal is to improve safety and mission effectiveness for defense users by delivering reliable, scalable autonomous systems under government contracts and partnerships.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Series G
Total Funding
$3.3B
Headquarters
San Diego, California
Founded
2015
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- CCA program deployment 2027–2028 unlocks $50B+ autonomous fighter market opportunity.
- Hivemind Foundation Model trained on classified JSE data accelerates competitive moat.
- V-BAT and Nova platforms generating steady revenue from U.S. and allied operations.
What critics are saying
- Aechelon integration failure delays Hivemind 12–24 months, ceding market to Palantir.
- F-16 airworthiness certification delays push CCA deployment beyond 2028 window.
- CFIUS blocks Aechelon acquisition, forcing 18–24 month in-house simulation rebuild.
What makes Shield AI unique
- Hivemind is only combat-deployed AI pilot since 2018 across multiple platforms.
- Aechelon acquisition integrates high-fidelity simulation with autonomy software in-house.
- Selected as mission autonomy provider for U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
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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
↓ -2%1 year growth
↓ -1%2 year growth
↓ -2%$1.5B raise backs AI autonomy and simulation acquisition. 8 April 2026 Shield AI has announced $1.5 billion in Series G funding, part of which will go towards acquiring Aechelon Technology Inc, a defence software company that specialises in high-fidelity simulation, physics-based sensors and synthetic reality. Aechelon's technology creates the virtual environments used by the U.S. military and allies to train aircrew and test aircraft and autonomous systems before live flight, including support for the Pentagon's Joint Simulation Environment (JSE). Shield AI develops Hivemind, an AI autonomy software that operates military vehicles including F-16s, jet-powered UAVs and helicopters. By acquiring Aechelon, Shield AI brings simulation capability in-house to train and refine Hivemind more effectively. "The acquisition of Aechelon will accelerate the work we are doing with Hivemind, particularly in simulation like the Department of War's JSE," said Shield AI CEO Gary Steele. "It will also help advance our Hivemind Foundation Model for Defense, which is trained in simulation and continuously refined through real-world operations." Hivemind was recently selected by the U.S. Air Force as a mission autonomy provider for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The $1.5 billion Series G values Shield AI at $12.7 billion and is led by Advent International, co-led by JPMorganChase's Security and Resiliency Initiative, with participation from Snowpoint Ventures, InnovationX and Riot Ventures. Funds managed by Blackstone are separately providing $500 million in preferred equity financing, plus a $250 million delayed draw facility. The Aechelon acquisition is expected to close following regulatory approvals. FREE NEWSLETTERS The world's leading authority of safety training news! Civil Aviation Training - Military Simulation & Training - Safety Critical Training
Shield AI raises $2 billion; acquiring software simulation company Aechelon to strengthen AI pilot. Thursday, March 26th, 2026 Shield AI on Thursday said it has raised $2 billion in new funding, including a $1.5 billion Series G round to buy defense software firm Aechelon and continue development of Shield AI's new jet fighter drone. The Series G round was co-led by the global private equity firm Advent International and the Strategic Investment Group of JPMorganChase. Blackstone is also investing $500 million of preferred equity financing, bringing Shield AI's total raise to $2 billion. X-BAT is Shield AI's vertical... Not a subscriber or registered user yet? Please contact us at [email protected] or call us at 888-707-5814 (Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET.), to start a free trial, get pricing information, order a reprint, or post an article link on your website.
Shield AI draws $2bn in funding as PE sharpens its focus on defensetech. Private equity firms are deepening their bets on the defense technology sector, with a cluster of deals this week underscoring the sector's pull on institutional capital. Advent International has committed up to $1 billion to invest in defense technology companies, starting with a co-lead role in Shield AI's $1.5 billion Series G funding round. Separately, [...] Get the whole story. AW Monthly $39 / Month - Instantly unlock all new and archived articles - Access to AW Research articles & data - Daily, weekly and monthly e-mail newsletters $390 / Year - Everything in Monthly at a 20% discount - Access to AW Research data downloads and annual Manager/Investor Compendiums - Discounts on advertisement rates
Shield AI, builds self-driving technology that enables swarms of unmanned systems to operate on the edge without gps, communications, or remote pilots. Here you'll find information about their funding, investors and team.
SAN DIEGO – March 26, 2026 – Shield AI today announced it is raising $1.5 billion in Series G funding at a $12.7 billion post-money valuation and $500 million in fixed-return preferred equity financing. The Series G is led by Advent International and co-led by the Strategic Investment Group of JPMorganChase’s Security and Resiliency Initiative, […]