Space Autonomy Chief Engineer - Mission-Ready Systems

Shield; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 211,000 - 316,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Chief Engineer, Autonomy - Space Domain to own the technical vision, architecture, and readiness of space-domain autonomy across satellites, payloads, and ground systems. You will drive end-to-end design, verification, and operational readiness for mission-critical autonomy in challenging environments.

This leadership role requires 12+ years in autonomy and space systems, with a track record of delivering reliable software-intensive mission platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, electrical/computer engineering, systems engineering, applied mathematics, robotics, physics, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for space-domain autonomy and mission architecture.
• Define and evolve an autonomy architecture spanning satellites, hosted payloads, ground systems, and data sources.
• Lead development of autonomous behaviors for multi-constellation and multi-orbit tasking and resource management.
• Architect and govern processing strategies across on-board and off-board environments.

Skills

Autonomy systems

Space-domain experience

Mission systems design

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field

Job description

Shield AI seeks a Chief Engineer, Autonomy - Space Domain to own the technical vision, architecture, and readiness of space-domain autonomy across satellites, payloads, and ground systems. You will drive end-to-end design, verification, and operational readiness for mission-critical autonomy in challenging environments.

This leadership role requires 12+ years in autonomy and space systems, with a track record of delivering reliable software-intensive mission platforms.