Shield AI

Engineer II, Future Concepts

Shield AI · Washington, DC
Washington, DC $100K–$150K Posted 2026-09-09
Salary
$100K–$150K
Type
Full-time
Experience
2+ yr

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

###

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.

  • Develop technology-driven future concepts for Hivemind applications across air, space, land, and maritime domains.
  • Translate emerging customer needs, operational challenges, and technology trends into compelling and technically credible concepts and mission-oriented use cases for autonomous systems.
  • Produce concept studies, analytical reports, white papers, RFIs, proposals, and other high-quality technical artifacts to explore how future capabilities could create value.
  • Use quantitative programming or analysis tools to organize data, build models, and communicate results.
  • Generate and deliver clear technical briefings for internal and external audiences, adapting complex material for both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Architecture, and Go-To-Market teams to align future concepts with technical roadmaps and early-stage product development.
  • Monitor developments in aerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, and related technologies to identify new opportunities and challenges.
  • Travel to customer sites as needed to support engagements, gather insights, and present concepts and analysis.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, operations research, data science, or another relevant quantitative field.
  • 2+ years of experience in engineering, technical analysis, concept development, modeling and simulation, product management, or a related area.
  • Demonstrated ability to use qualitative and quantitative analysis to support technical decision-making.
  • Ability to explain complex material clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences through written products and verbal briefings.
  • Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills, including the ability to apply creativity and collaboration to ambiguous or evolving problems.
  • Experience with at least one quantitative programming, modeling, or analysis tool, such as Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar.
  • Familiarity with aerospace, autonomy, robotics, or defense systems.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a USG security clearance.
  • Master's degree in a relevant quantitative or technical field.
  • Experience developing novel concepts, models, or analytical artifacts to explore complex technical questions.
  • Familiarity with trade studies, modeling and simulation, sensitivity analysis, data visualization, or other structured approaches to comparing technical alternatives.
  • Experience briefing customers, executives, operators, government stakeholders, or other decision-makers.
  • Experience contributing to product roadmaps, white papers, RFIs, proposals, or customer-facing technical material.
  • Prior military operations, mission analysis, or defense-industry experience.
  • Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.
PythonC++
$110K — 10th pctl $270K — 90th pctl
This role’s midpoint $125K vs. market median $180K for Engineering roles
-30%
below median
Based on 10,000+ Engineering roles with disclosed salary ranges tracked on NewJob.
Shield AI

Shield AI

Defense Tech · Private · San Diego, USA

Stage & Valuation
Private · $12.7B
Key Investors
Andreessen Horowitz, L3Harris, Advent International
Open roles on NewJob
Most hiring in
Engineering (174) · BizOps (23) · Operations (19)
Shield AI is a defense technology company that builds AI pilots and next-generation autonomous aircraft to protect service members and civilians. Their core product is Hivemind, an AI-powered autonomy developer platform for military systems.
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