Chief Engineer - Launch & Recovery Vehicle (R4033) at Shield AI

Dallas, Texas, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Defense, Aerospace, Autonomous SystemsIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or related field (Mechanical/Aerospace ideal)
10+ years leading multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering complex electro-mechanical or automation systems
Proven record of owning system performance from requirements through test and field validation
Strong systems engineering discipline — requirements traceability, margins, and verification planning
Skilled in risk-based decision-making and tradeoffs across performance, cost, and schedule
Broad technical fluency across mechanical, electrical, software, and controls domains
Experience managing product lifecycle: design, build, integration, and test
Comfortable leading technical reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and closing actions to standard
Effective at cross-functional coordination with manufacturing, test, and operations
Clear communicator — able to translate technical reality to executive and customer audiences

Responsibilities

Own the technical direction and ensure the product architecture fulfills mission needs and system constraints
Translate user and stakeholder requirements into verifiable system capabilities with defined margins and measures
Lead cross-discipline integration, ensuring mechanical, electrical, software, and test teams deliver a coherent design
Drive risk reduction and test strategy—plan, prioritize, and execute early demos and stress-to-failure tests
Maintain the functional baseline and verify that each subsystem meets its allocated performance and interface requirements
Guide trade studies balancing performance, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and reliability
Ensure analytical models are correlated to test data, closing the loop between simulation and experiment
Control the technical baseline and configuration, approving major design and requirement changes
Chair or support technical reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and enforce closure of open actions
Own the risk register, quantify technical and programmatic risk, and ensure mitigation plans are executable and tracked
Serve as the single point of technical accountability to leadership and customers
Define and maintain verification and validation (V&V) plans that trace requirements to tests and results
Communicate technical status using transparent, quantitative metrics on performance, maturity, and uncertainty
Integrate product development with manufacturing and sustainment to ensure designs are buildable and supportable
Foster a disciplined, data-driven engineering culture that values early learning, iteration, and truth-seeking

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Systems EngineeringMechanical DesignElectrical SystemsSoftware IntegrationTest PlanningRisk ManagementTrade StudiesSimulation ModelingRequirements VerificationCross-Functional Leadership

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the employment type for this Chief Engineer position?

This is a Full Time Employee position.

Is this Chief Engineer role remote or does it require working from an office?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What qualifications are required for the Chief Engineer role?

A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or related field is required, with Mechanical or Aerospace ideal.

What is the company culture like at Shield AI?

Shield AI fosters a disciplined, data-driven engineering culture that values early learning, iteration, and truth-seeking.

What experience makes a strong candidate for this Chief Engineer position?

Strong candidates will have engineering leadership experience in technical development, integration, and validation of complex systems, with skills in cross-functional team leadership, risk management, and rigorous testing.

Shield AI

Develops AI and autonomous systems for defense

About Shield AI

Shield AI specializes in creating artificial intelligence and autonomous systems specifically for the defense industry. The company develops AI-powered systems, including autonomous drones, that assist military operations, especially in environments where GPS and communication may not be available. This technology allows for safer and more efficient defense operations. Shield AI differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on advanced AI capabilities and securing significant contracts with government and military clients, such as the multi-billion dollar EWAAC contract. The company's goal is to enhance operational capabilities and safety in military contexts, ultimately aiming to protect lives through its innovative solutions.

San Diego, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2015Year Founded

$772.8MTotal Funding

DEBTCompany Stage

AI & Machine Learning, DefenseIndustries

501-1,000Employees

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

Risks

Increased competition from companies like Waymo could divert investment from Shield AI.

Geopolitical tensions may challenge the JSW Defence partnership for V-BAT production in India.

Dependency on Palantir's infrastructure may limit Shield AI's operational flexibility.

Differentiation

Shield AI's Hivemind is the first autonomous AI pilot deployed in combat since 2018.

Strategic partnerships with Palantir and JSW Defence enhance technological capabilities and market reach.

Shield AI's V-BAT drone is selected for a $198 million U.S. Coast Guard contract.

Upsides

Increased demand for autonomous systems in defense boosts Shield AI's market potential.

Successful multi-aircraft autonomous flight tests showcase advanced AI piloting capabilities.

Significant investment in robotics indicates a robust market for Shield AI's offerings.

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