Senior Manager, GNC Engineering (R4255)
Shield AI
Dallas, TX, USA
USD 228k-342k / year + Equity
Posted on Jan 8, 2026
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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.
As the Guidance and Controls Senior Manager, you will be responsible for leading the G&C team to develop high quality, reliable flight control laws for the VABT and XBAT programs. The GNC team focuses on researching and developing state-of-the-art algorithms that drive high-performance flight for the VBAT and XBAT, both vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. You’ll work on an agile, mission-driven, and values-focused team grounded in first principles to push the boundaries of the state-of-the-art.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Build and train a team of G&C experts to build and maintain the VBAT and XBAT platforms
- Design, develop, and optimize flight control systems for a family of advanced unmanned VTOL vehicles
- Execute simulations and real-world tests of VTOL vehicles
- Extract linear aircraft state space models from nonlinear models
- Update system models leveraging system identification techniques, both offline and online
- Root-cause, triage, and resolve flight control system defects
- Design and implement a best in class test, simulation, and validation infrastructure.
- Work with hardware teams to design and select servos, propulsion systems, inertial navigation systems, air data units, vision-based navigation systems, etc.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering (or related field); or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
- Engineering with a focus on Control Systems
- Experience tuning and optimizing control systems in simulation and real-world for stability and performance
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.
228000 - 342000 USD a year