Shield AI

Builds autonomous aircraft for defense

Lead Survivability Engineer

Materials & StructuresConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
At least 7 years of related experience in low-observable or survivability engineering, preferably on tactical aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, or stealth systems.
Proficiency with electromagnetic simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, Xpatch, or SENTRi.
Strong understanding of radar cross-section shaping principles, edge treatments, cavity suppression, and materials integration.
Practical experience with low-observable testing methods and radar cross-section measurement equipment.
Familiarity with radar-absorbing materials, low-observable coatings, and structural low-observable trade studies.
U.S. citizenship and an active Secret clearance are required.

Responsibilities

Design and optimize low-observable features across the airframe, focusing on shaping, edge treatments, radar-absorbing materials, and subsystem integration.
Model and simulate electromagnetic signatures using industry-standard tools such as HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Xpatch, and SENTRi.
Work with multidisciplinary teams in propulsion, avionics, structures, and artificial intelligence to integrate survivability into system architecture.
Lead or support signature testing, including indoor and outdoor radar cross-section range tests, validation campaigns, and supplier-level hardware evaluations.
Translate mission threats and requirements into survivability features addressing radar cross-section, thermal, visual, and acoustic observability constraints.
Partner with materials scientists to mature radar-absorbing coatings and structural radar-absorbing materials for manufacturability and field durability.
Support internal and customer assessments, threat-modeling reviews, and milestone decisions throughout the program lifecycle.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with military unmanned aerial vehicle platforms or fifth-generation fighter programs.
Background in survivability analysis in contested environments, such as integrated air defense systems or radar networks.
Familiarity with platform concepts of operations, threat modeling, and mission-level survivability assessments.
Ability to contribute to the design, test, and fielding of a fully integrated low-observable platform.
Ability to obtain a special access required clearance.

Salary Range: 170000 to 260000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

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.

Job Description:

At Shield AI, we're building the most intelligent autonomous aircraft ever deployed. As we push the boundaries of what’s possible in contested environments, we are looking for a Lead Survivability Engineer to shape and optimize the low observable (LO) performance of our next-generation autonomous aircraft.

This role is ideal for an experienced engineer with deep expertise in radar cross-section (RCS) shaping, LO materials, and electromagnetic signature modeling who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. You’ll work across disciplines to ensure our aircraft can survive, evade, and complete missions in highly contested airspace.

What you'll do:

Design and optimize low observable (LO) features across the airframe focusing on shaping, edge treatments, radar-absorbing materials, and subsystem integration.

Conduct modeling and simulation of electromagnetic signatures using industry-standard tools such as HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Xpatch, and SENTRi.

Work with multidisciplinary teams in propulsion, avionics, structures, and AI to ensure survivability is baked into the system architecture from day one.

Lead or support signature testing efforts, including indoor and outdoor RCS range tests, validation campaigns, and supplier-level hardware evaluations.

Translate mission threats and requirements into survivability features that address RCS, thermal, visual, and acoustic observability constraints.

Partner with materials scientists to mature radar-absorbing coatings and structural RAM for manufacturability and field durability.

Support internal and customer assessments, threat modeling reviews, and milestone decisions throughout the program lifecycle.

Required qualifications:

B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience in LO or survivability engineering, preferably on tactical aircraft, UAVs, or stealth systems.
Proficiency with EM simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, Xpatch, or SENTRi.
Strong understanding of RCS shaping principles, edge treatments, cavity suppression, and materials integration.
Practical experience with LO testing methods and RCS measurement equipment.
Familiarity with radar-absorbing materials (RAM), LO coatings, and structural LO trade studies.
Solid collaboration and communication skills with the ability to work across design, test, and manufacturing teams.
U.S. Citizenship and active Secret clearance required (TS/SCI preferred).
Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience with military UAV platforms or 5th-gen fighter programs.

Background in survivability analysis in contested environments (e.g., IADS, radar networks).

Familiarity with platform CONOPS, threat modeling, and mission-level survivability assessments.

Ability to contribute to the design, test, and fielding of a fully integrated LO platform.

#LI-AD6

#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.

About the Company

Shield AI

Builds autonomous aircraft for defense

Shield AI builds autonomous aircraft and flight software for military and allied defense customers, with a focus on operations where conventional remote control breaks down. Its Hivemind AI pilot handles decisions during a mission, while the V-BAT aircraft gathers intelligence and locates targets. Aircraft makers use its software tools to develop and test their own autonomy, and its Aechelon business supplies visual and sensor simulation for pilot training. The company earns money from aircraft sales, autonomy software and contracted engineering and operational services. Shield AI was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Debt Financing
Total funding: $4.8B
Headquarters: San Diego, CA
Founded: 2015

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