Lead Survivability Engineer (Autonomous Aircraft, UAVs) - 3471496

Job Title:

Lead Survivability Engineer (Autonomous Aircraft, UAVs)

Company:

Shield AI

Type of Position:

DIRECT HIRE

Candidate Requirements:

This role is with a major defense contractor and requires candidates to have an Active Secret Security Clearance at a minimum (TS/SCI preferred). As long as you have held a clearance within the past 2 years, you will qualify for this role.

Additional requirements:

• US Citizenship is required; Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) are not eligible due to clearance eligibility rules. Candidates on CPT, OPT, H-1B, or TN visas are not eligible.
• This company is not open to corp-to-corp (C2C) or corp-to-hire (C2H) arrangements.
• Offers may be contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screen (including testing for cannabis).

Job Location:

This will be an on-site role. We prefer candidates to work out of our Frisco, TX facility. Candidates may also work out of our San Diego, CA facility (but we prefer TX). We do offer a competitive relocation package for non-local candidates.

Compensation:

Compensation is commensurate with experience, education, and skill level. We are generally targeting $195K/yr to $225K/yr, but there will be flexibility.

Benefits:

• Available and very competitive (health insurance, dental, vision, 401k, PTO, etc).
• This role includes a performance bonus and company equity, allowing you to share in Shield AI’s growth and success.

About Shield AI:

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company building intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Our mission is to develop the world’s most advanced autonomous aircraft for operations in contested environments. Our products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft and the Hivemind software suite, which enable teams to execute complex missions without GPS, communications, or remote pilots. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, our technology is deployed worldwide and actively supports operational missions today. We would love to have you join our team!

Role Summary:

As a Lead Survivability Engineer at Shield AI, you’ll ensure our autonomous aircraft can survive and succeed in the most highly contested environments. You’ll lead the design and optimization of low observable (LO) features – from radar cross-section (RCS) shaping and radar-absorbing materials to full-system integration – so our aircraft can evade detection and complete critical missions. This role combines advanced modeling, simulation, and hands-on testing to translate real-world threats into practical design solutions. You’ll collaborate closely with teams across propulsion, avionics, and AI to embed stealth and survivability into the aircraft from day one.

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.
• 7+ years of hands-on 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 at a minimum.

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.
• Active TS/SCI clearance is preferred.

Work Environment / Other Info:

• You’ll split your time between office-based engineering work and hands-on efforts with our aircraft. This means moving between an office environment to working directly with hardware on-site.
• Offer may be contingent upon a drug screen and background check (drug screen would include cannabis).
• 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.

How to Apply for This Job:

#HRUShield