Senior Lead Operational Analytics Engineer (Defense AI)

Shieldai; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Senior Lead Operational Analyst to conduct modeling, simulation, and analysis of autonomous aircraft systems. You will evaluate effectiveness, survivability, and operational impact across domains, collaborating with engineering and defense stakeholders to inform design trade-offs.

The role emphasizes DoD knowledge, M&S techniques, and the ability to translate findings into actionable system insights while supporting DoD customers and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering or math.
• 9+ years of experience in operational analysis, modeling & simulation, OR related defense/aerospace roles.
• Active Secret clearance at minimum; Top-Secret preferred or ability to obtain.
• Ability to obtain S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Responsibilities

• Plan, own and execute operational analyses to assess autonomous systems.
• Develop and run modeling, simulation, and wargaming analyses to evaluate performance and survivability.
• Collaborate with engineering and product managers to translate findings into actionable insights.
• Perform trade studies and sensitivity analyses across varying conditions and threat environments.
• Build, modify, and analyze mission-level models using AFSIM, STK, MATLAB, Python.
• Analyze sensor performance and autonomy-enabled behaviors to support mission effectiveness.
• Engage with DoD stakeholders to understand mission needs and constraints.
• Contribute to CONOPS development for AI-enabled aircraft capabilities.
• Prepare technical docs and briefings for internal teams and government stakeholders.
• Apply modern compute and development best practices to pipelines.

Skills

Operational analysis

Modeling & simulation

Data science

DoD knowledge

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

AFSIM

STK

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Shield AI seeks a Senior Lead Operational Analyst to conduct modeling, simulation, and analysis of autonomous aircraft systems. You will evaluate effectiveness, survivability, and operational impact across domains, collaborating with engineering and defense stakeholders to inform design trade-offs.

The role emphasizes DoD knowledge, M&S techniques, and the ability to translate findings into actionable system insights while supporting DoD customers and internal teams.