Senior Engineer, Operations Analyst (R5831)

Shield AI; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 128,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Engineer, Operational Analyst to drive modeling, simulation, and analysis of autonomous aircraft systems. You will evaluate mission effectiveness, survivability, and operational impact across platforms, collaborating with engineering, product, and defense stakeholders.

You will apply wargaming methodologies and advanced M&S tools to inform design trade-offs, optimize performance, and support CONOPS for AI-driven capabilities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in operational analysis, modeling & simulation (M&S), or military operations research.
• Expertise in military mission analysis, operational planning, and wargaming methodologies.
• Proficiency with M&S tools used for aerospace and defense applications (AFSIM, STK, MATLAB).
• Deep understanding of air combat, ISR, EW, or autonomous systems in contested environments.
• Experience working with DoD stakeholders, warfighters, and government agencies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational analysis strategies to assess autonomous aircraft effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
• Lead modeling, simulation, and wargaming to evaluate system performance and survivability.
• Collaborate with engineering and product managers to translate insights into design improvements.
• Conduct trade studies and sensitivity analyses across varying operational conditions.
• Develop high-fidelity mission models using M&S tools (AFSIM, STK, MATLAB, Python).
• Analyze sensor effectiveness and autonomy-driven decision-making to optimize missions.
• Engage with DoD stakeholders and warfighters to align capabilities with needs.
• Support CONOPS development for new AI-driven aircraft capabilities.
• Prepare technical reports and briefings for senior leadership and customers.

Skills

Operational analysis

Modeling & simulation

Wargaming

DoD engagement

Autonomous systems

Tools

AFSIM

STK

MATLAB

Python

Git-based version control

Job description

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-BATaircraft, 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.

Job Description

We are seeking a Senior Engineer, Operational Analyst to drive the modeling, simulation, and analysis of Shield AI’s autonomous aircraft systems. This role is pivotal in evaluating the mission effectiveness, survivability, and operational impact of our autonomy solutions across multiple platforms and domains. You will work closely with engineering, product development, and defense stakeholders to inform design trade-offs, assess system performance, and optimize mission capabilities.

This position requires a deep understanding of military operations, wargaming,modeling & simulation (M&S), analytic techniques, and operational analysistechniques. Your work will directly shape Shield AI’s strategy by identifying how ourAI-powered platforms can best serve the evolving needs of modern warfare.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute operational analysis strategies to assess the effectivenessof autonomous aircraft in real-world military scenarios.
• Lead modeling, simulation, and wargaming efforts to evaluate systemperformance, mission impact, and survivability in contested environments.
• Work closely with engineering teams and product managers to translateoperational insights into design decisions and system improvements.
• Conduct trade studies and sensitivity analyses to assess system performanceunder varying operational conditions and threats.
• Utilize advanced modeling & simulation tools (e.g., AFSIM, STK, MATLAB, Python)to develop high-fidelity mission models.
• Analyze force-on-force engagements, sensor effectiveness, and autonomy-drivendecision-making to optimize mission success.
• Collaborate with DoD stakeholders, operators, and warfighters to understandmission needs and align system capabilities with operational requirements.
• Support concept of operations (CONOPS) development for new AI-driven aircraftcapabilities.
• Identify emerging threats and operational challenges, ensuring Shield AI’ssystems remain ahead of adversary capabilities.
• Develop and present technical reports, briefings, and recommendations to seniorleadership, customers, and government agencies.
• Leverage modern compute and development best practices (e.g., scalablecloud/HPC workflows, containerization, version control, CI/CD, and automatedtesting) to build, run, and iterate high-fidelity simulation and analysis pipelinesquickly and reliably.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in operational analysis, modeling & simulation (M&S), ormilitary operations research.
• Expertise in military mission analysis, operational planning, and wargamingmethodologies.
• Proficiency with AFSIM, STK, MATLAB, or other M&S tools used for aerospace anddefense applications.
• Deep understanding of air combat, ISR, electronic warfare, or autonomous systems in contested environments.
• Experience working with DoD stakeholders, warfighters, and governmentagencies to align capabilities with mission requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to seamlessly apply modern compute, data science, andsoftware development best practices (e.g., cloud/HPC workflows,containerization, Git-based version control, CI/CD, automated testing, andreproducible analysis) to build and maintain reliable simulations and analytics.
• Excellent communication and briefing skills, with experience presenting to seniorleadership, customers, and military personnel.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile development environment with shiftingpriorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in force-on-force analysis, CONOPS development, or militarycampaign modeling.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, Joint Capabilities Integration andDevelopment System (JCIDS), and military operational testing.
• Experience integrating AI-driven decision-making algorithms into operationalanalysis frameworks.
• Prior military service or experience working with U.S. Air Force, Navy, or SpecialOperations Forces.
• Experience using GenAI to structure problems and create simulation or analysis tools.
• Active Secret or Top-Secret clearance (or ability to obtain one).

$128,000 - $192,000 a year

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 toequal 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.