Senior Staff Engineer, Survivability Materials

About the role

At Shield AI, we are building intelligent autonomous aircraft designed to operate and survive in highly contested environments. We are seeking a Survivability Materials Engineer to lead the selection, qualification, specification, and production implementation of low‑observable and signature‑control materials for next‑generation autonomous aircraft.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct material surveys and evaluate radar‑absorbing materials, conductive materials, dielectric materials, specialty coatings, adhesives, sealants, and other survivability‑related material systems.
• Develop and maintain a survivability materials database containing performance, cost, supplier, part‑number, availability, application, and sustainment information.
• Partner with survivability analysis, design, manufacturing, and program teams to down‑select materials based on signature performance, durability, producibility, weight, cost, and supply‑chain risk.
• Develop material qualification plans and oversee electromagnetic, electrical, mechanical, thermal, chemical, and environmental testing.
• Establish and maintain laboratory capabilities for material characterization, process development, receiving inspection, and production verification.
• Provide hands‑on production support for material application, inspection, troubleshooting, repair, supplier coordination, and sustainment.

Required profile

• B.S. or M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace materials engineering, low‑observable materials, electromagnetic materials, specialty coatings, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of radar‑absorbing materials, conductive coatings, dielectric materials, adhesives, sealants, or specialty surface treatments.
• Understanding of how complex permittivity, complex permeability, conductivity, and thickness affect electromagnetic and radar‑signature performance.
• Experience with material characterization, laboratory testing, production inspection, or supplier qualification.
• U.S. Citizenship and active Secret clearance required.

Required skills

• Radar‑absorbing materials
• Conductive coatings
• Dielectric materials
• Specialty coatings
• Adhesives and sealants
• Electromagnetic material characterization
• Vector network analyzers
• Free‑space measurement systems
• Conductivity measurement equipment
• Coating‑thickness instrumentation
• Environmental chambers
• Mechanical testing equipment