Shield AI
Director, Mission Systems
$225K–$340K
Washington, D.C. +3 · On-site · Director · Full-time · Posted Sep 11, 2026
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
Dallas, Texas
Seattle, Washington
San Diego, California - Experience
- 10+ years.
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or another relevant technical discipline.
About the job
Leads the mission-systems organization for autonomous aircraft, setting strategy and overseeing integrated capabilities from concept development through flight test and fielding.
What you'll do
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary organization spanning communications and integrated mission systems.
- Set technical strategy, capability roadmaps, and investment priorities aligned with program and business objectives.
- Oversee mission-system architecture, analysis, integration, testing, certification, and fielding.
What they ask for
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or another relevant technical discipline.
- 10+ years of experience supporting complex military aircraft, autonomous systems, or other aerospace and defense programs.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing a multidisciplinary engineering organization, including people managers and senior technical leaders.
- U.S. citizenship, an active Secret security clearance, and ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance and required SAP/SAR accesses.
Nice to have
- Master’s degree or PhD in a related technical discipline.
- Leadership on military UAS, advanced autonomous aircraft, collaborative combat aircraft, or fifth-generation fighter programs involving integrated mission systems and survivability.
Pay
USD 225,000–340,000 per-year-salary; base salary
Tools
SysML, DoD acquisition, JCIDS, electronic warfare, low-observable communications, AI-enabled sensors or payloads
AI focus
Oversees AI-enabled sensors or payloads as a preferred area of working knowledge.
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative