Lead Survivability Engineer: LO & RCS for Aircraft

Shield; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Lead Survivability Engineer to shape and optimize LO performance for next-generation autonomous aircraft. You will drive RCS shaping, RAM materials, and EM signature modeling across multidisciplinary teams to ensure survivability in contested airspace.

The role requires 7+ years in LO/survivability, proficiency with HFSS/CST/Xpatch/SENTRi, and U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance. Seattle-area location, full-time position.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on experience in LO or survivability engineering.
• Strong understanding of RCS shaping principles, edge treatments, cavity suppression, and materials integration.
• Proficiency with EM simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, Xpatch, or SENTRi.
• U.S. Citizenship and active Secret clearance required (TS/SCI preferred).
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize low observable (LO) features across the airframe focusing on shaping, edge treatments, radar-absorbing materials, and subsystem integration.
• Conduct modeling and simulation of electromagnetic signatures using industry-standard tools such as HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Xpatch, and SENTRi.
• Lead or support signature testing efforts, including indoor and outdoor RCS range tests, validation campaigns, and supplier-level hardware evaluations.
• Translate mission threats and requirements into survivability features that address RCS, thermal, visual, and acoustic observability constraints.
• Partner with materials scientists to mature radar-absorbing coatings and structural RAM for manufacturability and field durability.

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline

Tools

HFSS

CST Studio Suite

Xpatch

SENTRi

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Lead Survivability Engineer to shape and optimize LO performance for next-generation autonomous aircraft. You will drive RCS shaping, RAM materials, and EM signature modeling across multidisciplinary teams to ensure survivability in contested airspace.

The role requires 7+ years in LO/survivability, proficiency with HFSS/CST/Xpatch/SENTRi, and U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance. Seattle-area location, full-time position.