Role OverviewShield AI is seeking a Chief Engineer of Autonomy to lead the technical execution of autonomy capabilities supporting one of the most important military aviation initiatives of our generation. As the senior technical leader for Shield AI's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) autonomy efforts, you will help define how autonomous aircraft operate alongside crewed fighters in contested environments, enabling a new era of air superiority through trusted, scalable autonomy.
What You Will Do
Serve as the senior technical authority for Shield AI's CCA autonomy efforts, accountable for technical strategy, architecture, execution, customer engagement, and mission effectiveness. Lead the development, integration, and deployment of operational autonomy capabilities from concept through flight test, operational evaluation, and fielding.
Why It Might Be a Fit
This is a position focused on delivering mission-ready autonomy systems that perform in real-world operational environments. You will work across engineering, product, flight operations, programs, and government stakeholders to transition autonomy from development to operational capability at scale.
Requirements
- 15+ years of engineering experience developing complex aerospace, defense, autonomy, weapons, or mission-critical systems
- Experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Technical Director, Chief Architect, Technical Fellow, Technical Program Manager, or equivalent technical leadership role
- Demonstrated success leading large multidisciplinary engineering teams through development, integration, test, and deployment of operational systems
- Proven ability to lead across software, systems, AI/ML, simulation, mission systems, flight test, and operational stakeholders
- Experience delivering major defense products with significant technical complexity and customer visibility
- Experience working directly with Air Force, Navy, Operational Users, Program Executive Offices, or major defense acquisition programs
- Strong executive communication skills with the ability to influence government, military, and industry leaders
- Experience operating effectively in rapidly evolving, high-consequence environments
- Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance
Benefits
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