Senior Solutions Engineer - XBAT Aircraft Program

About the role

Shield AI, a defense-tech company developing aircraft such as V-BAT and X-BAT, is hiring a Senior Solutions Engineer to support technical sales for a flagship aircraft program in early design and development. The role is a key technical interface to senior government stakeholders, business development and engineering leadership, shaping requirements and aligning the product roadmap with future mission needs.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for pre-sales engagements for a new advanced aircraft platform targeting high-end tactical missions.
• Work with Business Development, Engineering and Product Management to shape product definition, capability prioritization and solution alignment with customer operational concepts.
• Support technical capture for early acquisition opportunities (AOAs, RFIs, requirement drafts, white papers, unsolicited proposals).
• Translate customer needs into system requirements, roadmaps and program strategies.
• Develop technical narratives and lead content for briefings, RFIs, white papers and proposal volumes.
• Build relationships with customer technical stakeholders, including U.S. DoD program offices and foreign governments.
• Assess market signals, competitor activity and technical feasibility to inform internal investment decisions.
• Represent the full Shield AI solution suite (autonomy, AI pilots, ISR systems, mission software) across the pre-sales lifecycle.

Required profile

• 5+ years in technical sales, capture or engineering in defense or aerospace, with significant work with U.S. DoD and/or international defense ministries.
• Demonstrated experience supporting government sales in pre-prototype or pre-solicitation phases.
• Experience with programs involving tactical aircraft, fighter jets or group 5 UAS.
• Proven success on deals valued over $15M.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, applied science or an equivalent technical discipline.
• Active U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Required skills

• Systems-level understanding of aircraft design tradeoffs, customer CONOPS and mission-based engineering.
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills for leadership-level customers.
• Ability to manage ambiguity, balance competing priorities and work independently in a fast-paced startup environment.

Preferred: experience at a major defense prime or USG, background in multi-domain operations, autonomy or networked ISR, familiarity with programs such as NGAD, CCA and FMS/DCS, advanced degree, prior military service, and willingness to relocate to Dallas, TX or Washington DC.