Deputy Chief Engineer, X-BAT

Job Description Are you an experienced aircraft-development leader looking to help build a new class of autonomous combat aircraft? Are you energized by technically difficult problems, rapid execution, and the opportunity to redefine airpower? Shield AI may be the place for you. The Deputy Chief Engineer for X-BAT will report to the Air Vehicle Lead / Chief Engineer X-BAT and serve as their primary technical deputy across the design, development, integration, test, and maturation of the X-BAT air vehicle. This individual will help maintain the technical integrity of the aircraft while driving day-to-day engineering execution across structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, mechanical systems, avionics, electrical systems, flight controls, software, autonomy integration, manufacturing, and flight test. The ideal candidate combines broad aircraft technical depth with strong systems thinking, sound engineering judgment, and a demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through ambiguity. They must be comfortable moving between system-level decisions and detailed technical problem-solving while balancing performance, safety, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and mission requirements. What You’ll Do Serve as the primary technical deputy to the X-BAT Air Vehicle Lead, acting on their behalf when necessary and helping translate program objectives into clear engineering priorities. Maintain the integrity of the air vehicle’s technical baseline, including system requirements, ar