Manager Visual Design - Synthetic Reality Development

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 www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

We are looking for a hands on team leader / manager who will lead a team of four Synthetic Reality Developers. This role will join our visual database production team for professional simulation. The successful candidate will be responsible for accurately recreating real-world infrastructure, airports, and environments, as well as ground, maritime, and airborne vehicles, through 3D modeling and the creation of realistic textures. This work contributes to the development of high- fidelity scenarios for professional training simulators. In addition to standard production tools, you will work with proprietary company software, processes, and workflows. The role therefore requires strong learning ability, attention to detail, commitment to quality, and adherence to established technical and visual standards. We are looking for professionals with strong spatial awareness, a technical mindset, and the ability to accurately reproduce real-world environments and assets while meeting project requirements and delivery deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in 3D modeling and texturing.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a team leader or manager in similar environment. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in Autodesk Maya for 3D modeling, geometry creation, and optimization, including Features and Moving Models.

• Strong proficiency in developing and optimizing UV coordinates, ensuring efficient use of texture space and appropriate pixel density.

• Demonstrated proficiency in Adobe Photoshop for creating and editing high-quality, realistic textures.

• Excellent spatial awareness and ability to interpret complex proportions, scales, and geometric relationships.

• Ability to accurately reproduce real-world assets and environments using photographic references and technical documentation.

• Ability to work within established technical standards and production requirements, ensuring consistency across deliverables.

• Strong commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and on-time project delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Airport infrastructure, including lighting systems, signage, and pavement markings.

• Aviation.

• Cartography.

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD).

• Visual database development for simulation.

• Orthophotography, satellite imagery, and technical documentation.

• Simulation, synthetic environments, and digital twins.

Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.