Chief Autonomy Engineer for Collaborative Combat Aircraft

Shieldai; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI in the United States is seeking a Chief Engineer of Autonomy to lead the technical execution of autonomy capabilities for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. You will set the architectural direction and oversee end-to-end delivery from concept through flight test.

This role requires extensive leadership across software, hardware, and mission systems, focused on delivering mission-ready autonomy in real-world environments.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of engineering experience in aerospace/defense domains.
• Experience as Chief Engineer or equivalent senior technical leader.
• Led large multidisciplinary teams through development, integration, test, and deployment.
• Proven ability to coordinate across software, systems, AI/ML, simulation, and flight ops.
• Experience with defense programs and customer-facing engagements.
• Active security clearance (Secret) with ability to obtain Top Secret.
• Background in military aviation or advanced airborne systems.
• Experience with autonomous platforms (CCA/ACP) or related autonomy initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for the CCA autonomy efforts and drive technical strategy.
• Lead development, integration, and deployment of autonomy capabilities from concept to flight test and fielding.
• Define and evolve autonomy architectures covering planning, perception, decision-making, and human-machine teaming.
• Ensure rigorous engineering governance, architecture integrity, and mission-focused outcomes.
• Collaborate with program leadership to balance risk, schedule, and customer priorities.
• Lead technical readiness for demonstrations, flight tests, and milestones with stakeholders.
• Direct verification, validation, and operational integration to establish trust and safety.
• Build and mentor a world-class team of engineers and domain experts.
• Influence requirements, roadmaps, and next-generation autonomy capabilities.

Skills

15+ years engineering

Technical leadership

Aerospace/defense experience

Autonomy/CCA experience

Crewed-uncrewed teaming

Security clearance

Job description

Shield AI in the United States is seeking a Chief Engineer of Autonomy to lead the technical execution of autonomy capabilities for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. You will set the architectural direction and oversee end-to-end delivery from concept through flight test.

This role requires extensive leadership across software, hardware, and mission systems, focused on delivering mission-ready autonomy in real-world environments.