Shield AI

Senior V-BAT Air Vehicle Operator, Field Integration and Test

Shield AI · Dallas, TX
Dallas, TX $100K–$150K Posted 2026-09-11
Salary
$100K–$150K
Type
Full-time
Experience
5+ 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.

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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.

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Field integration support:  Supports site surveys, installations, calibrations,  aircraft  operational checks, and customer handoff activities while  maintaining  safe and effective V-BAT operations

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Operational leadership:  Leads flight operations and field events with autonomy, sound judgment, and disciplined risk management

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Systems troubleshooting:  Diagnoses and resolves issues across  aircraft , payloads, ground systems, datalinks, LAN-based networks, MANET networks, RF communications, SATCOM, and support equipment in field conditions

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Cross-functional coordination:  Works directly with FIT, Deployment Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Training, Customer Operations, and customers to close issues and drive operational readiness

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Instructor  and  mentorship capability:  Trains, evaluates, and develops  operators  while reinforcing standards, TTPs,  checklist discipline, and safe operating  practices
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Demonstrated instructor experience (manned or unmanned aviation)

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FAA Private Pilot License (PPL)

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FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

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Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate

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Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret DoD security clearance

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Ability to pass background check, drug screening, and customer-required medical/dental screenings

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Willingness to travel on short notice 50 to 75 percent in support of CONUS and OCONUS site surveys, installs, calibrations, flight operations, customer events, and deployment support

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Ability to climb ship masts, vertical ladders, and rooftop access points; work in confined or tight areas; and lift and carry 50 pounds or more in land-based and maritime environments

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Proven ability to lead and operate independently in small teams, including austere, shipboard, expeditionary, and high-tempo environments

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Strong aviation judgment, decision-making, crew coordination, and risk management skills

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Ability to troubleshoot  aircraft , payload, ground control, communications, network, and support equipment issues at the field level
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FAA Instrument Rating and/or Commercial Pilot License

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Experience operating as aircrew on manned aircraft

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Experience with MANET, MPU5, RF communications, Starlink, Starshield, and SATCOM integration or setup

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Prior military service, especially with overseas, maritime, or deployed operations

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Maritime or shipboard UAS operational experience

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Previous  experience as a Site Lead, Crew Lead, Instructor Operator, or aviation operations lead

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Experience supporting system installation, calibration, test events, or field acceptance activities

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Experience troubleshooting RF, C2, SATCOM, MANET, Starlink,  Starshield , ISR payload, or ground control system issues
#LI-JM1
#LC

$60K — 10th pctl $230K — 90th pctl
This role’s midpoint $125K vs. market median $130K for Operations roles
~median
market rate
Based on 19,000+ Operations 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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