Senior Staff Field Solutions Engineer (R5321)

What you'll do:

• Lead X-BAT technical capture efforts for US Domestic opportunities ensuring solutions are technically sound feasible and aligned with Shield AI’s product roadmap.
• Capture efforts will focus on Aircraft but will require familiarity with the entire Shield AI Product suite.
• Manage multiple priorities in a dynamic fast-paced environment including customer engagements pre-sales technical support proposal contributions and solution development. 
• Develop and execute technical strategies that result in high-quality compliant and compelling proposals to maximize win probability.
• Serve as the primary technical lead for Go To Market (GTM) engagements interfacing cross-functionally with BD BD Operations Engineering Operations Program Management and Product Management to ensure customer needs are met.
• Manage technical content for proposals requests for information (RFIs) white papers and capability briefs ensuring accuracy clarity and compliance. 
• Support early-phase acquisition activities (concept notes requirements drafts unsolicited proposals).
• Shape early operational concepts aligned to X-BAT capabilities. 
• Support BD and Account Executives by becoming a Subject Matter Expert in Shield AI products providing technical expertise in customer engagements capability briefings and solution discussions to drive successful sales outcomes.
• Act as a liaison between BD and Engineering ensuring that new customer requests are technically feasible and align with product capabilities timelines and roadmaps.
• Contribute to the technical documentation repository maintaining capability briefs specifications FAQs and other sales collateral for internal and external use.
• Provide training and mentorship to BD teams on technical aspects of Shield AI’s solutions enabling them to articulate our value proposition confidently.
• Support competitive analysis and market intelligence specific to the US tactical aircraft market ensuring the BD team remains informed on industry trends and competitor capabilities.
• Contribute to process improvement efforts leveraging lessons learned from customer engagements to refine BD workflows and technical capture strategies.
• Analyze the unique operational and environmental factors of the assigned region producing high-impact white papers and briefs that inform the product roadmap and drive solutions aligned to customer mission needs.

Required qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in technical sales capture engineering or program management within defense or aerospace industries.
• Demonstrated familiarity with US Department of War procurement processes and military force structures.
• Prior experience at a major defense prime (US OEM or equivalent) supporting tactical aircraft CCA/ACA or Group 4/5 UAS programs. 
• Experience interfacing with government or military acquisition stakeholders.
• Strong systems-level understanding of aircraft design tradeoffs operational CONOPS and mission-based engineering.
• Proven ability to translate technical concepts into compelling narratives for senior stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering applied science or related technical discipline. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced evolving startup environment. 

• Experience supporting defense sales or industrial partnerships.
• Background in maintenance / sustainment on combat aircraft and/or in mission systems integration.
• Experience contributing to early-phase design or conceptual aircraft programs.
• Prior military service experience.
• Advanced degree in engineering aerospace systems engineering or business. 
• 5+ years of experience in an presales/solutions engineering role.
• 3+ years of experience working in a startup environment. 
• Demonstrated understanding of specific DoW operational scenarios and systems. 

What We Do

Founded in 2015 Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft Hivemind Enterprise and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S. Europe the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.

Why Work With Us

What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software AI and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.

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