Lead integration, validation, and fielding of advanced weapon capabilities on X-Bat across the full lifecycle. Define system behaviors and architectures, coordinate cross-functional integration, support lab/ground/flight tests, perform troubleshooting and root-cause analysis to reduce integration risk and accelerate capability delivery.
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 seeking a Weapons Systems Engineer to lead the integration, validation, and operational deployment of advanced weapon capabilities on X-Bat. This role directly impacts mission readiness, combat effectiveness, aircraft survivability, and program execution by ensuring weapon systems are successfully integrated, tested, and fielded to operational users.
The engineer will work across the full lifecycle from requirements development through flight test, helping reduce integration risk, accelerate capability delivery, and improve overall mission system performance.
What you'll do:
- Define weapon system behaviors, operational sequences, and mission workflows to ensure reliable and predictable weapon employment across all phases of operation
- Develop system architectures, activity diagrams, interface definitions, and functional behaviors for aircraft weapon systems and mission system integration
- Lead integration of weapon systems, stores management systems, and avionics interfaces while coordinating across software, avionics, flight sciences, mechanical design, and test teams
- Support lab, ground, and flight test activities to validate system behavior, identify integration issues early, and improve mission system reliability
- Perform troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action development to reduce integration risk, improve operational readiness, and accelerate capability fielding
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
- 5+ years of experience in military aerospace, mission systems, avionics, or weapon systems integration
- Experience defining system behavior, operational concepts, activity diagrams, or functional architectures for complex aerospace systems
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-1760, MIL-STD-1553, and hardware/software integration environments
- Strong systems engineering, troubleshooting, and cross-functional communication skills
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience supporting fighter aircraft, UAV, bomber, or advanced military aircraft programs
- Experience with MBSE methodologies and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler
- Background in HIL/SIL integration labs, flight test, or operational weapon system validation
- Familiarity with airworthiness, cybersecurity, and resilient mission systems
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance preferred
#LI-AD6
#LE
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.
###
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.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead sourcing and execution of strategic partnerships, investments, and M&A. Drive deal structuring, negotiation, financial modeling, diligence, and integration planning. Advise executives on corporate strategy, build industry and government relationships, and deliver market intelligence on defense, autonomy, and AI to inform long-term planning.
6 Hours Ago
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead and grow a team of autonomy engineers to stand up autonomy on novel platforms (space, maritime, rotorcraft), own delivery from design through fielding, write and integrate latency-sensitive autonomy code, coordinate with platform and cross-functional teams, support live tests and deployments, and evolve R&D efforts into longer-term programs.
Top Skills:
ArmAtrAutonomy StacksC++Ci/CdCmakeConanDdsDockerEmbedded SystemsHivemindsdkIpcLinuxMessage BusesMotion PlanningOmsPythonShell ScriptingStanag 4586UciVehicle-Control IntegrationVidar
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Perform FEA and hand calculations to evaluate and optimize UAV airframe structures. Conduct static, modal, fatigue, and vibration analyses, support structural test planning and data correlation, define loads and material properties, and produce structural analysis reports while collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams.
Top Skills:
AnsysExcelFinite Element Analysis (Fea)HyperworksMatlabNastranNxPythonSolidworksTeamcenter
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
With vibrant neighborhoods, great food and more affordable housing than either coast, Chicago might be the most liveable major tech hub. It is the birthplace of modern commodities and futures trading, a national hub for logistics and commerce, and home to the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. This diverse blend of industry influences has helped Chicago emerge as a major player in verticals like fintech, biotechnology, legal tech, e-commerce and logistics technology. It’s also a major hiring center for tech companies on both coasts.
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
