Chief Engineer – V-BAT UAS Autonomy & Flight Systems

Shieldai; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Chief Engineer to lead all engineering efforts for the V-BAT program, directing a multidisciplinary team delivering flight software, autonomy, GNC, ground systems, and payloads for a vertical takeoff and autonomous aircraft deployed worldwide.

The role requires deep technical expertise across aerospace and UAS systems, with a track record of building and scaling teams in fast-paced, mission-driven environments. Leadership, collaboration, and strategic execution are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years in related aerospace/engineering fields.
• Strong background in aerospace, mechanical, electrical and avionics, propulsion, or related disciplines.
• Experience building and leading multidisciplinary engineering teams across hardware, software, and systems.
• Proven leadership and communication skills; ability to lead cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the engineering and software team for the Group 3 UAS program.
• Define engineering vision, technical strategy, and system architecture.
• Serve as senior technical leader, making architectural decisions, managing technical and program risk.
• Lead workforce planning, capability roadmap, and multiple development streams.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across engineering, flight test, operations, program management, supply chain, quality, and production to enable high-quality delivery.

Skills

Technical leadership

System architecture

Aerospace engineering

Multidisciplinary teams

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

CI/CD tools

Simulink

Job description

Shield AI seeks a Chief Engineer to lead all engineering efforts for the V-BAT program, directing a multidisciplinary team delivering flight software, autonomy, GNC, ground systems, and payloads for a vertical takeoff and autonomous aircraft deployed worldwide.

The role requires deep technical expertise across aerospace and UAS systems, with a track record of building and scaling teams in fast-paced, mission-driven environments. Leadership, collaboration, and strategic execution are essential.