Director, Autonomy Applications Engineering (R3988) at Shield AI

San Diego, California, 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, Deep TechIndustries

Requirements

M.S. degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics or a related field required; Master’s or MBA preferred
15+ years in customer-facing technical leadership (solutions/support)
Proven success leading globally distributed technical teams
Deep understanding of enterprise software integration, SDKs, and mission-critical systems—ideally within AI/ML, autonomy, or defense technology sectors
Strong program and project management

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive technical customer engagement strategy from initial onboarding through full operational deployment and ongoing expansion
Oversee the creation and execution of detailed phased engagement plans (e.g., 3-6-9-12 months) tailored to customer needs and strategic objectives
Champion the development of customers as “sovereign capabilities,” enabling them to become self-sufficient operators of Hivemind
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing global team of Application Engineers
Manage distributed teams across the globe (USA, Japan, Korea, Singapore, EU etc.)
Foster a culture of customer obsession, proactive problem-solving, and technical excellence
Own and drive training programs for managers and ICs
Set and drive team OKRs to meet company OKRs
Set standards and drive creation of high-quality customer training materials
Oversee the creation of technical documentation, best practice guides, and learning materials
Drive execution of key customer projects, including CONOP demonstrations, integrations, and production deployments
Oversee execution for high-impact events such as Tech Days and customer demonstrations
Implement processes for milestone tracking, risk management, and timely delivery of deliverables
Partner with Sales and Business Development to ensure seamless pre- and post-sales transitions
Collaborate with Product and Engineering to feed customer insights into the Hivemind roadmap
Work with Marketing to produce case studies, success stories, and public communications
Build relationships with key customer engineering and leadership contacts
Contribute to reviewing and responding to customer RFIs and RFPs
Contribute to creating and reviewing Scope of Work documents for customer proposals
Build long-term relationships with executive stakeholders and program leads
Ensure customers achieve measurable mission success with Hivemind
Develop strategies to create “highlight moments” and referenceable customer outcomes

Skills

Hivemind

Applications Engineering

Customer Success

Technical Deployment

Team Leadership

Mentoring

Training Programs

Unmanned Platforms

Autonomy Systems

Global Team Management

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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