Senior Staff Field Solutions Engineer (R5321)

The role

You will lead technical capture and pre-sales work for the X-BAT aircraft platform in the US market. You will bridge US customer needs with Shield AI's product roadmap and support proposals, customer engagements and solution development.

What you will do

• Lead X-BAT technical capture efforts for US domestic opportunities.
• Develop technical strategies for high-quality, compliant proposals.
• Serve as primary technical lead for Go To Market engagements, working across BD, Engineering, Operations, Program and Product Management.
• Manage technical content for proposals, RFIs, white papers and capability briefs.
• Support early-phase acquisition activities such as concept notes and unsolicited proposals.
• Act as subject matter expert in customer engagements and capability briefings.
• Liaise between BD and Engineering on feasibility and roadmap alignment.
• Maintain technical documentation and sales collateral.
• Train and mentor BD teams on Shield AI solutions.
• Support competitive analysis for the US tactical aircraft market.

Required qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in technical sales, capture, engineering or program management in defense or aerospace.
• Familiarity with US Department of War procurement processes and military force structures.
• Prior experience at a major defense prime supporting tactical aircraft, CCA/ACA or Group 4/5 UAS programs.
• Experience interfacing with government or military acquisition stakeholders.
• Strong systems-level understanding of aircraft design tradeoffs, CONOPS and mission-based engineering.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into narratives for senior stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, applied science or a related technical discipline.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Experience supporting defense sales or industrial partnerships.

Nice to have

• Background in maintenance or sustainment on combat aircraft and/or mission systems integration.
• Experience contributing to early-phase design or conceptual aircraft programs.
• Prior military service.
• Advanced degree in engineering, aerospace, systems engineering or business.
• 5+ years in a presales or solutions engineering role.
• 3+ years working in a startup environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of specific DoW operational scenarios and systems.

Benefits

• Bonus.
• Benefits package for full-time regular employees.
• Equity for full-time regular employees.
• Temporary benefits package for temporary employees, applicable after 60 days of employment.

Before you apply

• Offers are contingent on a cleared background check and possible reference check.
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.