LIVE FEEDVIEWS 0UTC —
POSTING ACTIVE · REQ-41186 · FY26.Q2
Staff Engineer, Field Support - X-BAT Aircraft Systems (R5081)
Shield AI
[ COMPENSATION RANGE · ANNUAL · BASE ]
$90,000 – $130,000USD
MIDPOINT
$110,000
SPREAD
$40,000
LEVEL
LEAD
§ 01OVERVIEW
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
§ 02JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Field Support Engineer, X-BAT Aircraft Systems is a senior, customer-facing technical authority supporting Shield AI's X-BAT program, an AI-piloted VTOL fighter advancing runway-independent autonomous airpower for expeditionary, maritime, and contested environments. This role sustains readiness by resolving aircraft, mission system, avionics, propulsion, launch/recovery, ground support, and configuration issues across test, demonstration, deployment, and field operations.
The ideal candidate is a proven aircraft or UAS maintainer who can operate independently, communicate under pressure, and move technical issues from field discovery through disciplined closure using engineering data, product definition information, and structured support workflows.
§ 03WHAT YOU'LL DO
§ 04X-BAT AIRCRAFT & FIELD TECHNICAL SUPPORT
§ 05CUSTOMER, TEST & OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
§ 06ENGINEERING & FLEET READINESS
§ 07WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
- X-BAT aircraft and system-level issues are resolved quickly, safely, and with minimal operational disruption
- Customers and maintainers view Field Support as responsive, technically credible, and mission-aligned
- Engineering receives actionable field data that reduces recurring issues and improves product supportability
§ 08REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in STEM, aerospace, engineering, aviation technology, aviation maintenance, aviation management, or related technical discipline and 8+ years of directly applicable experience; OR master's degree and 6+ years; OR associate/technical certification and 10+ years; OR high school diploma/GED and 12+ years in lieu of degree
- Hands-on aircraft/UAS maintenance or sustainment experience such as military avionics technician, aircraft crew chief, aircraft/UAS maintainer, A&P mechanic, Field Service Engineer/Representative, depot technician, or flight-line troubleshooter
- Advanced troubleshooting and fault isolation across aircraft, avionics, mission systems, electrical/mechanical, propulsion, ground support equipment, or system-level issues
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, technical manuals, maintenance procedures, fault-isolation data, configuration documentation, and product definition information
- Strong customer-facing communication skills and ability to make sound technical judgments in high-tempo, ambiguous, developmental, or austere environments
- Ability to document, prioritize, and drive technical issues through closure using structured case management, corrective action, or engineering issue-tracking workflows
- Ability to travel domestically/internationally, deploy with customers, support non-standard schedules, pass required screenings, and obtain and maintain Secret DoD clearance and customer/program access as required
§ 09PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Military aviation maintenance experience supporting fighter aircraft, Group 3-5 UAS, autonomous aircraft, ISR aircraft, developmental flight test, or other advanced military aviation systems
- Experience with VTOL aircraft, launch/recovery systems, avionics/mission systems, CNI/datalinks, GPS/INS, flight controls/autopilot, electrical power, propulsion, payloads, ground control systems, or ground support equipment
- Working familiarity with Siemens NX or comparable CAD/product-definition environments used to review assemblies, interfaces, configuration details, drawings, and technical dispositions
- Experience managing technical support actions, customer cases, corrective actions, or engineering investigations through Salesforce, Jira, or comparable CRM and issue-management platforms
- Prior Field Support Engineer, Field Service Representative, military customer support, depot, deployed sustainment, or new aircraft fielding experience
- FAA A&P, FAA Part 107, pilot rating, NCATT/AET, FCC, military aviation maintenance qualification, or active DoD clearance/program access
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- How much does the Staff Engineer, Field Support - X-BAT Aircraft Systems (R5081) at Shield AI pay?
- The posting lists a range of $90K–$130K per year. Ranges reflect what Shield AI publicly declared on the source posting.
- Where is this Staff Engineer, Field Support - X-BAT Aircraft Systems (R5081) role based?
- The role is based in Wichita Metro Area.
- What experience does Shield AI expect for this role?
- The posting is tagged as a lead-level role, typically 7+ years of experience. Check the requirements section for specifics.
- Where is Shield AI headquartered?
- Shield AI is headquartered in San Diego, USA.
- How was this posting sourced?
- This role was pulled directly from Shield AI's Lever careers site. Apply links open in the employer's own ATS — no reposts or aggregator middleware.
[ APPLICATION ROUTE ]LEVER · External ATS
APPLY VIA LEVER→Apply links open in the employer's official ATS. Always verify recruitment messages on the company's careers page before sharing personal information.
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