Staff Engineer, DevOps at Shield AI

California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, DefenseIndustries

Requirements

BS in CS, CE, EE, or related field with 7+ years industry experience (or MS/PhD with 5+ years)
Strong expertise in CI/CD tools (Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitHub Actions)
Proficiency with containers and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, cloud build clusters)
Strong scripting skills (Python, Bash, PowerShell)
Hands-on experience integrating automated testing into CI pipelines
Demonstrated success improving developer productivity at scale
Demonstrated track record of excellence as a primary contributor on projects - showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles, overcome obstacles, and deliver high-quality solutions in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Qualifications
Experience building simulation or HIL-based test pipelines
Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible) and monitoring (Grafana, Prometheus)
Background in robotics, autonomy, or aerospace systems

Responsibilities

Own and operate the CI/CD system across autonomy, embedded, and ground software
Improve developer velocity by reducing build/test cycle time and eliminating pipeline bottlenecks
Scale simulation test execution in CI — from containerized single-agent runs to orchestrated clusters
Manage infrastructure for builds and tests (Azure DevOps, Git, Artifactory, cloud build agents)
Partner with developers to resolve build/test failures quickly and set best practices for integration
Integrate CI pipelines with HIL and simulation environments for automated validation
Implement monitoring, dashboards, and alerts for CI/CD health and performance
Collaborate with the Developer Ops teams across Shield AI to introduce new technologies, best practices, and shared standards

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Azure DevOpsJenkinsGitHub ActionsDockerKubernetesPythonBashPowerShellGitArtifactory

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the Staff Engineer, DevOps position?

The salary range is $150,000 - $225,000 a year.

Is this a remote position or does it require on-site work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What are the key required skills for this DevOps role?

Required skills include strong expertise in CI/CD tools like Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitHub Actions; proficiency with containers and orchestration such as Docker and Kubernetes; strong scripting in Python, Bash, PowerShell; and hands-on experience integrating automated testing into CI pipelines.

What is the company culture like at Shield AI for this team?

The role is hands-on IC on the Software Integration & Operations team, collaborating with Developer Ops teams to introduce new technologies and best practices in a fast-paced environment focused on accelerating iteration and developer velocity.

What makes a strong candidate for this Staff Engineer role?

Strong candidates have a BS in CS, CE, EE or related with 7+ years experience (or MS/PhD with 5+), demonstrated success improving developer productivity at scale, and a track record of excellence as a primary contributor delivering high-quality solutions in fast-paced environments.

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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