POSTING ACTIVE · REQ-3A5E9 · FY26.Q3
Staff Engineer, Field Service (R6120)
[ COMPENSATION RANGE · ANNUAL · BASE ]
$140,000 – $210,000USD
MIDPOINT
$175,000
SPREAD
$70,000
LEVEL
LEAD
TECHNICAL STACK · 2 TAGS
§ 01
OVERVIEW
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-BAT aircraft, 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.
§ 02
JOB DESCRIPTION:
At Shield AI, we are developing autonomy solutions that enhance mission effectiveness and operational decision-making. Our Vision Systems / Hivemind Vision portfolio applies computer vision and AI/ML technologies to help defense, government, and commercial customers gain actionable information from optical sensors.
As a Vision Systems Demonstration & Training Specialist on the demonstration and training team, you will support customer demonstrations, operator training, and operational adoption across the portfolio. Working closely with product management, engineering, and business development, you will help customers understand, evaluate, and effectively employ our capabilities.
This role requires operational credibility, technical fluency, and a strong instinct for teaching and customer engagement. The ideal candidate understands the demands facing sensor operators and intelligence teams—including real-time workload, competing mission priorities, and the challenges of integrating multiple sensors and information sources—and brings that perspective to every demonstration, training event, and customer interaction.
§ 03
WHAT YOU'LL DO
§ 04
DEMONSTRATION & OPERATIONAL SUPPORT:
§ 05
TRAINING & STANDARDIZATION:
§ 06
CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT & ADOPTION:
§ 07
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION & PRODUCT FEEDBACK:
§ 08
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Significant experience in airborne ISR sensor operations, operational intelligence support, or a closely related mission-system or field applications role.
- Practical understanding of EO/IR sensor employment, particularly gimballed sensors and full-motion video, including real-time task management, crew coordination, and operation alongside other intelligence sensors.
- Understanding of ISR collection and processing, exploitation, and dissemination (PED), including how sensor outputs support operational decisions.
- Working familiarity with mission-system interfaces, tactical applications, communications networks, and data links used to exchange sensor information and intelligence products.
- Familiarity with joint ISR collection and dynamic targeting.
- Understanding of crew resource management (CRM) and operational risk management (ORM).
- Demonstrated ability to instruct, mentor, or deliver effective operational and technical briefings.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to both technical and operational audiences.
- Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and demonstrated empathy for end users.
- Ability to learn new software and mission systems, troubleshoot operational issues, and work independently during customer engagements.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally for demonstrations, training, exercises, and customer support.
Relevant military, contractor, or industry experience may substitute for formal academic qualifications.
§ 09
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience as an airborne sensor operator in manned and unmanned ISR platforms, maritime patrol, special operations, or comparable multi-sensor mission environments.
- Instructor, evaluator, or standardization experience, including development of curricula, qualification standards, or operating procedures.
- Experience supporting joint or special operations customers through military service or government-contracted ISR programs.
- Experience GRP 1, 2 and 3 UAS on platforms such as the MC-12, U-28, AC-130, P-8, or comparable contractor-operated ISR aircraft.
- Aviation safety experience or comparable responsibility for safety programs, operational risk assessment, and incident prevention.
- Experience employing EO/IR sensors alongside radar, signals intelligence, or other collection systems.
- Experience integrating sensors or mission systems on airborne platforms, or supporting operational test and evaluation.
- Customer-facing experience with a sensor, mission-system, or defense technology provider.
- Familiarity with automated target detection and recognition, computer vision, or multi-sensor fusion applications.
- Experience supporting UAS demonstrations or flight-test activities, including coordination with flight crews and operation of payloads or associated mission systems.
#LI-LD1
#LD
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 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.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- How much does the Staff Engineer, Field Service (R6120) at Shield AI pay?
- The posting lists a range of $140K–$210K per year. Ranges reflect what Shield AI publicly declared on the source posting.
- Where is this Staff Engineer, Field Service (R6120) role based?
- The role is based in San Diego, California.
- What experience does Shield AI expect for this role?
- The posting is tagged as a lead-level role, typically 7+ years of experience. Check the requirements section for specifics.
- Where is Shield AI headquartered?
- Shield AI is headquartered in San Diego, USA.
- How was this posting sourced?
- This role was pulled directly from Shield AI's Lever careers site. Apply links open in the employer's own ATS — no reposts or aggregator middleware.
[ APPLICATION ROUTE ]LEVER · External ATS
Apply links open in the employer's official ATS. Always verify recruitment messages on the company's careers page before sharing personal information.
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