Senior Cybersecurity Engineer (Airborne Defense Platform)

About the role

Shield AI, a venture-backed defense-tech company, is looking for a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer to lead cybersecurity activities for an airborne aerospace and defense platform. The role integrates cybersecurity across avionics, mission systems, aircraft networks, communications, embedded software and ground-support systems.

Key responsibilities

• Develop the platform's cybersecurity architecture, requirements and protection strategy.
• Perform threat modeling, vulnerability assessments, attack-surface analysis and cyber risk assessments.
• Define protections for secure boot, authentication, access control, encryption, key management, software updates and data communications.
• Apply defense-in-depth across aircraft systems, networks, radios, data links and external interfaces.
• Lead DoD Risk Management Framework activities and develop the required authorization evidence.
• Evaluate hardware, software, firmware and supplier designs for cybersecurity risks.
• Develop cybersecurity verification plans and support vulnerability scanning, penetration testing and cyber-resiliency testing.
• Coordinate risk mitigation and corrective actions with engineering teams, suppliers, customers and program leadership.
• Ensure cybersecurity solutions support aircraft safety, availability and mission effectiveness.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, systems engineering or a related field.
• Typically a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree.
• Experience with aircraft, aerospace, defense or other mission-critical embedded systems.
• Knowledge of avionics, mission systems, platform networks, communications or data links.
• Familiarity with DoD RMF, NIST security guidance, cryptography and key management.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.

Required skills

• Threat modeling, secure system architecture, vulnerability analysis and security testing.
• Preferred: cybersecurity experience on military aircraft, unmanned aircraft or airborne mission systems.
• Preferred: familiarity with NIST SP 800-53, SP 800-160, DO-326A, DO-355 and DO-356A, and experience with anti-tamper, program protection, supply-chain risk management or cross-domain solutions.
• Preferred: experience supporting cyber testing, penetration testing or adversarial assessments, and certifications such as CISSP, Security+, CEH or GIAC.