Chief Engineer, Autonomy

Shield AI, established in 2015, is a pioneering defense technology company dedicated to safeguarding service members and civilians through intelligent systems. Their flagship autonomy software, Hivemind, is at the forefront of aircraft and drone operations in challenging environments. This Principal Engineer role focuses on autonomous systems development for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), requiring extensive experience in both technical leadership and defense industry knowledge.

The position demands a seasoned professional with 10+ years of experience in autonomy and UAS platforms, combining deep technical expertise with strong leadership capabilities. As Chief Engineer, you'll lead a team of 6-20 engineers, managing both Shield AI's Hivemind and Department of Defense autonomy architectures. The role involves complex problem-solving, architecture design, and quality assurance for mission-critical systems.

This opportunity is ideal for someone passionate about defense technology and autonomous systems, offering competitive compensation ($194,686 - $292,029) plus benefits and equity. The position requires US citizenship due to security clearance requirements and offers the chance to work on cutting-edge technology that directly impacts national security and civilian protection.

Working from their offices in Washington D.C., you'll be part of a dynamic team developing next-generation autonomous systems. The role combines technical excellence with leadership, requiring both hands-on engineering expertise and the ability to guide teams through complex technical challenges. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of autonomous systems in defense applications while working with a leading defense technology innovator.