Staff Solutions Engineer, Aircraft (R3809)

Shield Ai • Washington, DC

116d • $130,000 - $190,000

About The Position

Shield AI is hiring a Solutions Engineer to support technical sales for a flagship aircraft program currently in early design and development. This role requires a proven leader who has supported large-scale domestic and international defense programs in the conceptual or pre-solicitation phase — ideally in tactical aviation or high-performance unmanned systems. This position will serve as a key technical interface to senior government stakeholders, business development, and engineering leadership, shaping requirements and aligning our product roadmap with future mission needs.

Requirements

• 5+ years in technical sales, capture, or engineering roles in defense or aerospace industries, with significant experience interfacing with U.S. DoD and/or international ministries of defense.
• Demonstrated experience supporting government sales in pre-prototype or pre-solicitation phases.
• Demonstrated excellence in presentation skills, organization of technical ideas, and narrative building for a variety of stakeholders at leadership levels with direct customers.
• Experience with programs involving tactical aircraft, fighter jets, or group 5 UAS.
• Proven success contributing to deals valued over $15M.
• Strong systems-level understanding of aircraft design tradeoffs, customer CONOPS, and mission-based engineering.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, applied science, or equivalent technical discipline.
• Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to clearly translate technical information into compelling sales narratives for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to manage ambiguity, balance competing priorities, and operate independently in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Active U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working at a major defense prime (e.g., Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Anduril, RTX) or USG in a technical business development, engineering, product management, advanced programs, or strategic pursuits capacity.
• Background in multi-domain operations, autonomy, or networked ISR systems.
• Familiarity with key acquisition programs (e.g., NGAD, CCA, FMS/DCS pathways).
• Advanced degree in engineering or business with applicable focus areas.
• Prior military service experience.
• Prefer relocation to Dallas, TX or Washington DC.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead supporting pre-sales engagements for a new advanced aircraft platform targeting high-end tactical missions.
• Collaborate with senior leaders across Business Development, Engineering, and Product Management to influence product definition, capability prioritization, and solution alignment with customer operational concepts.
• Support technical capture for domestic and international opportunities in early acquisition phases (e.g., AOAs, RFIs, Requirement Drafts, white papers, unsolicited proposals).
• Shape and translate customer needs into actionable system requirements, roadmaps, and program strategies.
• Develop compelling technical narratives and lead content development for briefings, RFIs, white papers, and proposal volumes.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with customer technical stakeholders (including U.S. DoD program offices and foreign governments).
• Contribute to internal investment decisions by assessing market signals, competitor activity, and technical feasibility.
• Represent the broader Shield AI solution suite (including autonomy, AI pilots, ISR systems, and mission software) across the pre-sales lifecycle.

Benefits

• Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
• Temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree