Lead Deputy Chief Engineer — Autonomous Aircraft

Lever, Inc.; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Deputy Chief Engineer for the X-BAT program to lead engineering execution across all vehicle subsystems. You will translate program objectives into engineering priorities, maintain the technical baseline, and drive end-to-end integration from design to flight test.

The role requires broad aircraft depth, systems thinking, and a track record of leading multidisciplinary teams under tight timelines, with the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in complex aircraft or aerospace systems.
• Experience leading aircraft-development programs and cross-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to make high-quality technical decisions with incomplete information.
• Strong written and verbal communication with executives and customers.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary technical deputy to X-BAT Air Vehicle Lead and translate objectives into engineering priorities.
• Maintain air vehicle technical baseline: requirements, architecture, interfaces, configuration, performance, verification, airworthiness evidence.
• Lead day-to-day integration across aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, mechanical, avionics, electrical, flight controls, software, autonomy, manufacturing, and test.
• Drive technical decisions and trade studies grounded in first-principles analysis.
• Establish and maintain disciplined technical-risk processes and resolve issues through analysis or test.
• Lead major design reviews to progress through fabrication, ground test, flight test, qualification, and production.

Skills

Technical leadership

Systems engineering

Aircraft design understanding

Multidisciplinary teams leadership

Strong communication

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related

Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, or related

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Deputy Chief Engineer for the X-BAT program to lead engineering execution across all vehicle subsystems. You will translate program objectives into engineering priorities, maintain the technical baseline, and drive end-to-end integration from design to flight test.

The role requires broad aircraft depth, systems thinking, and a track record of leading multidisciplinary teams under tight timelines, with the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.