Staff Engineer, Infrastructure

Shield AI, founded in 2015, is an innovative defense technology company on a mission to protect service members and civilians through intelligent systems. They're at the forefront of AI aviation technology, with their AI pilot Hivemind successfully operating various aircraft including F-16 fighters, V-BAT drones, and Nova quadcopters.

The Staff Engineer, Infrastructure role is a crucial position within their software factory team, focusing on building and optimizing autonomy solutions. This role combines DevOps expertise with defense technology applications, requiring a strong background in cloud computing, Kubernetes, and container orchestration.

The position offers an exciting opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI technology in the defense sector, with responsibilities including integrating AI training factory systems, managing software updates across isolated environments, and ensuring smooth operation of critical infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with cloud computing, Linux systems, and automation tooling.

What makes this role particularly compelling is its direct impact on national security and defense capabilities. You'll be working with a team that's actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and allies. The position offers competitive compensation ($150,402 - $226,046) plus comprehensive benefits including equity, bonuses, and various allowances for international positions.

The role requires US citizenship due to security clearance requirements and is based in the Washington DC Metro Area, specifically Crystal City. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned infrastructure engineer looking to apply their skills in a meaningful way while working with advanced AI technology in the defense sector.