Summer 2027 - Electrical Engineering Co-op (June 2027)

Shield AI; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

Mentorship by Shield AI engineers

Paid company holidays

Networking events

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a co-op candidate to join our team in building autonomous aircraft. You will own a project aligned with your start date, duration, and location, mentored by a senior engineer, and contribute directly to our aircraft development program.

The role emphasizes hands-on hardware work, collaboration with cross-functional engineers, and a culture of ownership and kindness in a mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Completed at least the 2nd year of a relevant degree (Electrical Engineering).
• Strong technical fundamentals across hardware topics.
• Experience being part of an engineering team or club.
• Demonstrated ownership of project outcomes and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Own a project tailored to start date, duration, and location of the Co‑op.
• Contribute to our novel aircraft development program and its critical path.
• Be mentored by a senior engineer for technical input and professional growth.

Skills

Strong technical fundamentals

Team collaboration

Ownership of outcomes

Engineering club/team experience

Education

2nd year of Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

KiCad

Oscilloscope

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:

Our Co-Op program is an excellent opportunity for students to gain deep, hands‑on experience in a mission‑driven and innovative engineering environment. This paid, full‑time program spans multiple months during the academic year, offering extended immersion in real‑world hardware development and testing.

Shield AI is seeking an exceptional Co‑op candidate to join the team in building our autonomous aircraft. You will join a team of highly talented cross‑functional engineers that exhibit a culture of mentorship, kindness, ownership, and hard work.

The ideal start date is June 2027, and the end date is flexible.

What you’ll do:

• You will be given ownership of a project that is tailored to the start date, duration, and location of your Co‑op.
• Your work will directly contribute to the success of our novel aircraft development program. You will understand exactly why your project matters and how it ties into our critical path development objectives.
• You will be partnered with a senior engineer as mentor and guide for technical input and professional development.

Examples of projects:

• Design a circuit board involving analog, digital, mixed signal, high speed circuits that enables us to test a prototype flight computer.
• Design, simulate, and verify high voltagepower electronics (>10kW) DC/DC Converters and DC/AC inverters.
• Work with a senior engineer to bring‑up and validate a new Avionics system.
• Identify bugs and drive changes to fix them.
• Build a test rack to deliver fully automated test coverage of a flight critical sub‑system.
• Run a HALT campaign to ensure a series of new circuit boards are highly reliable.

Required qualifications:

• Have completed at least the 2nd year of a relevant degree. Typically, Electrical Engineering.
• Strong technical fundamentals.
• Have been part of an engineering team/club.
• Experience with electrical design software and tools such as Altium, KiCAD, an oscilloscope, etc.
• Demonstrated history of showing ownership of project outcomes and delivering exceptional results.
• Record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others.

$38 - $73 an hour

$38- $73 an hour - Your salary will be determined by academic level.

Pay is just one part of your total rewards package at Shield AI. You may also be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs. As an intern, you will receive the opportunity to attend presentations from company leaders, social and networking events, as well as mentorship from current Shield AI Engineers. Interns are also eligible for paid company holidays.

#intern

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.

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.