Staff Engineer, XBAT DevOps (R4542)

Shield AI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI, a defense-tech innovator, seeks a DevOps Engineer to own and automate our CI/CD and test orchestration across autonomy, embedded, and ground software. You will scale simulation runs from single-agent tests to cluster deployments and drive faster, reliable software delivery.

You will optimize build/test pipelines, integrate automated testing, and implement monitoring and dashboards to maintain CI/CD health.

Qualifications

• BS in CS/CE/EE or related; 7+ years industry exp (or MS/PhD +5y).
• CI/CD tools: Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitHub Actions.
• Containers/orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes; cloud build clusters.
• Scripting: Python, Bash, PowerShell.
• Experience integrating automated testing into CI pipelines.
• Proven track record improving developer productivity at scale.
• Strong contributor on fast-paced projects; crosses development cycles.
• Dclearance: ability to obtain S//SAR desired.

Responsibilities

• Own and operate the CI/CD system across autonomy, embedded, and ground software.
• Improve developer velocity by reducing build/test cycle time and bottlenecks.
• Scale simulation test execution in CI from single-agent to clusters.
• Manage builds/tests infra: Azure DevOps, Git, Artifactory, cloud agents.
• Automate tasks to enable self-service DevOps for developers.
• Collaborate to resolve build/test failures and set best practices.
• Integrate CI pipelines with HIL and simulation environments.
• Implement monitoring, dashboards, and alerts for CI/CD health.
• Partner with Shield AI DevOps teams to introduce new tech and standards.

Skills

CI/CD expertise

Python

Bash

PowerShell

Automated testing in CI

Developer productivity at scale

Secur ity clearance (S//SAR) desired

Education

BS in CS/CE/EE or related

MS/PhD with 5+ years experience

Tools

Azure DevOps

Jenkins

GitHub Actions

Docker

Kubernetes

Terraform

Ansible

Grafana

Prometheus

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. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

As a DevOps Engineer,you’llown our CI/CD and automation stack — driving developer velocity, pipeline health, and large-scale test execution from single-agent runs to cluster-orchestrated mission scenarios. This is a hands-on IC role that removes bottlenecks, accelerates iteration, and ensures every engineer can test and ship with speed and rigor.

What you’ll do:

• Own andoperatethe CI/CD system across autonomy, embedded, and ground software.

• Improve developer velocity by reducing build/test cycle time andeliminatingpipeline bottlenecks.

• Scale simulation test execution in CI — from containerized single-agent runs to orchestrated clusters.

• Manage infrastructure for builds and tests (Azure DevOps, Git, Artifactory, cloud build agents).

• Fully automate common tasks to create a self-service DevOps model allowing developers to be fully empowered.

• Partner with developers to resolve build/test failures quickly and set best practices for integration.

• Integrate CI pipelines with HIL and simulation environments for automated validation.

• Implement monitoring, dashboards, and alerts for CI/CD health and performance.

• Collaborate with the Developer Ops teams across Shield AI to introducenew technologies, best practices, and shared standards.

Required qualifications:

• BS in CS, CE, EE, or related field with 7+ years industry experience (or MS/PhD with 5+ years).

• Strongexpertisein CI/CD tools (Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitHub Actions).

• Proficiencywith containers and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, cloud build clusters).

• Strong scripting skills (Python, Bash, PowerShell).

• Hands-on experience integrating automated testing into CI pipelines.

• Demonstrated success improving developer productivity at scale.

• Demonstratedtrack recordof excellence as a primary contributor on projects - showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles, overcome obstacles, and deliver high-quality solutions in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience building simulation or HIL-based test pipelines.

• CMake/C++expertiseor equivalent.

• Strong understanding of dependency management andproficiencywith either Conan or CPM.

• Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible) and monitoring (Grafana, Prometheus).

• Background in robotics, autonomy, or aerospace systems.

$180,000 - $270,000 a year

#LI-SM1

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.