Staff Engineer, GNC (R2480)

Introduction to Shield AI

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company whose mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. In pursuit of this mission, Shield AI is building the world’s best AI pilot. Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown a fighter jet (F-16), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (V-BAT), and a quadcopter (Nova). The company has offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington DC and abroad. Shield AI’s products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. allies. 

Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Shield AI is a fast growing, venture-backed defense technology company built around a team of proven executives, distinguished warfighters, and world-class AI engineers. Since 2018, Shield AI’s products and people have supported operations around the world with the US Department of Defense and our allies. Join our team and shape the future of artificially intelligent systems.

The GNC engineering team focuses on researching and developing state-of-the-art algorithms that drive high-performance flight for the VBAT, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. As a GNC Engineer on this team, you’ll work on an agile team grounded in first principles to push the boundaries of the state-of-the-art.

What You'll Do:

• Design, develop, and optimize flight control systems for a family of advanced unmanned VTOL vehicles
• Execute simulations and real-world tests of VTOL vehicles
• Develop GPS denied / contested environment algorithms
• Support road-mapping and planning for next-generation flight control systems
• Root-cause, triage, and resolve flight control system defects
• Improve test infrastructure, including improvements to unit test coverage, simulation fidelity, analysis tools

Required Qualifications:

• BS in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering with a focus on Control Systems
• Minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience in the area of vehicle dynamics modeling, flight controls, or simulation.
• Experience with C++ in a production environment
• Experience with Matlab and Simulink
• Expert knowledge of aircraft dynamics and control, stability, and handling qualities
• Experience tuning and optimizing control systems in simulation and real-world
• Passion for solving complex problems in a fast-moving environment
• Demonstrated record of working hard, strong communication skills, being a trustworthy teammate, and being kind to others
• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS or PhD in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering with a focus on Control Systems
• Experience with Modern Control Theory, e.g. LQR/LQG, Adaptive Control, Robust Control, Model Predictive Control (MPC), etc.
• Proficient with extracting linear aircraft state space models from nonlinear equations of motion
• Proficient with design or selection of servos, inertial navigation systems, air data units, vision-based navigation systems
• Familiarity with Kalman Filters
• Familiarity with system identification techniques
• Familiarity with git, continuous integration & delivery, etc.
• Familiarity with unmanned vehicle command and control languages, e.g. MAVLINK, STANAG 4586, etc.

#LC

#LI-OE1 

Total package details:

Regular employee positions: Salary within range listed above + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee positions: Hourly within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

*Interns/Military Fellows/Part-time not eligible for bonus, benefits or equity

Actual 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.

If you're interested in being part of our team, apply now! 

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal 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.