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Shield AI, a venture-backed defense-tech company, is seeking a Senior Staff Sensor Integration Engineer to support the X-BAT State Estimation team. This role operates at the intersection of software, electrical, and mechanical engineering, requiring cross-disciplinary expertise in sensor systems for autonomous aircraft platforms.
You will lead sensor integration activities from specification through production, including selection, characterization, calibration, and integration of multi-modal navigation and localization sensors (IMUs, GNSS receivers, cameras, and other navigation sensors). Key responsibilities include:
• Develop and execute sensor characterization and calibration procedures
• Contribute to sensor trade studies and selection processes
• Work closely with electrical, mechanical, and software engineering teams on electrical interfaces, power distribution, signal conditioning, mounting solutions, alignment, thermal/vibration considerations, and software interfaces
• Participate in design reviews across disciplines, providing interdisciplinary perspective and coordination
• Develop and execute test plans for sensor performance characterization and validation
• Document sensor characteristics, trade studies, and integration requirements
• Develop or modify calibration scripts and data processing tools
• Debug issues spanning hardware-firmware-software boundaries
• Review and contribute to schematics, CAD models, and code as necessary
The role combines hands-on lab work with analysis and documentation in a collaborative team environment. Occasional travel may be required for team coordination, supplier engagement, or testing support.
Shield AI's mission is protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. The company's products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies, with operations worldwide across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
REQUIREMENTS:
Required:
• BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 1–4 years of relevant experience (new grads with strong cross-functional internship/project experience will be considered)
• Demonstrated ability to work across at least two of: electrical, mechanical, software domains
• Understanding of sensor measurement principles and error sources
• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and/or mechanical drawings
• Basic proficiency in scripting or programming for data analysis (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
• Familiarity with sensor communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, etc.)
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment and sensor testing
• Comfortable learning and working outside primary discipline
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers from different backgrounds
• Willingness to engage with hardware, firmware, and software aspects of sensor systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills across multiple domains
Preferred:
• Experience with navigation or localization sensors (IMUs, GNSS, cameras, altimeters, etc.)
• Exposure to sensor calibration or characterization activities
• Familiarity with embedded systems or real-time software
• Understanding of coordinate transformations or sensor fusion concepts
• Experience with automated testing or data acquisition systems
• Knowledge of aerospace environmental testing or standards
