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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. 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.
Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking a Senior Solutions Engineer based in Frisco to support technical capture and pre-sales engagement for the X-BAT aircraft platform in the US. This role will serve as the technical lead for Business Development, bridging US operational requirements with Shield AI’s product roadmap. The ideal candidate has prior experience at a major defense prime (US OEM) in roles spanning engineering, technical sales, program management, or advanced capture, with exposure to tactical jet aircraft, CCA/ACA concepts, or Group 4/5 UAS programs. This individual will focus on shaping opportunities within the US market, supporting Go To Market of tactical aircraft, crafting proposal documentation, and providing technical expertise. This individual will also cross-train in Shield AI’s other products to support integrated solution discussions.
What you'll do:
- Lead X-BAT technical capture efforts for US Domestic opportunities, ensuring solutions are technically sound, feasible, and aligned with Shield AI’s product roadmap.
- Capture efforts will focus on Aircraft, but will require familiarity with the entire Shield AI Product suite.
- Manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, including customer engagements, pre-sales technical support, proposal contributions, and solution development.
- Develop and execute technical strategies that result in high-quality, compliant, and compelling proposals to maximize win probability.
- Serve as the primary technical lead for Go To Market (GTM) engagements, interfacing cross-functionally with BD, BD Operations, Engineering, Operations, Program Management, and Product Management to ensure customer needs are met.
- Manage technical content for proposals, requests for information (RFIs), white papers, and capability briefs, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and compliance.
- Support early-phase acquisition activities (concept notes, requirements drafts, unsolicited proposals).
- Shape early operational concepts aligned to X-BAT capabilities.
- Support BD and Account Executives by becoming a Subject Matter Expert in Shield AI products, providing technical expertise in customer engagements, capability briefings, and solution discussions to drive successful sales outcomes.
- Act as a liaison between BD and Engineering, ensuring that new customer requests are technically feasible and align with product capabilities, timelines, and roadmaps.
- Contribute to the technical documentation repository, maintaining capability briefs, specifications, FAQs, and other sales collateral for internal and external use.
- Provide training and mentorship to BD teams on technical aspects of Shield AI’s solutions, enabling them to articulate our value proposition confidently.
- Support competitive analysis and market intelligence specific to the US tactical aircraft market, ensuring the BD team remains informed on industry trends and competitor capabilities.
- Contribute to process improvement efforts, leveraging lessons learned from customer engagements to refine BD workflows and technical capture strategies.
- Analyze the unique operational and environmental factors of the assigned region, producing high-impact white papers and briefs that inform the product roadmap and drive solutions aligned to customer mission needs.
Required qualifications:
- 10+ years of experience in technical sales, capture, engineering, or program management within defense or aerospace industries.
- Demonstrated familiarity with US Department of War procurement processes and military force structures.
- Prior experience at a major defense prime (US OEM or equivalent) 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, operational CONOPS, and mission-based engineering.
- Proven ability to translate technical concepts into compelling narratives for senior stakeholders.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, applied science, or related technical discipline.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment.
- Experience supporting defense sales or industrial partnerships.
- Background in maintenance / sustainment on combat aircraft and/or in mission systems integration.
- Experience contributing to early-phase design or conceptual aircraft programs.
- Prior military service experience.
- Advanced degree in engineering, aerospace, systems engineering, or business.
- 5+ years of experience in an presales/solutions engineering role.
- 3+ years of experience working in a startup environment.
- Demonstrated understanding of specific DoW operational scenarios and systems.
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.