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Senior Engineer, GNC – Sensor Integration (R4601)

United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

We are seeking a Sensor Integration Engineer to support selection, characterization, calibration, and integration of multi-modal navigation and localization sensors for aerospace applications. This role operates at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering, requiring the ability to work across disciplines and directly contribute to cross-functional engineering efforts. 

What you'll do:

    Sensor Selection, Integration & Characterization:
  • Support sensor integration activities from specification through production 
  • Develop and execute sensor characterization and calibration procedures for IMUs, GNSS receivers, cameras, and other navigation sensors 
  • Contribute to sensor trade studies and selection processes 
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Work closely with electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and software engineering teams on: 
  • Electrical interfaces, power distribution, and signal conditioning 
  • Mounting solutions, alignment, and thermal/vibration considerations 
  • Software interfaces, drivers, data acquisition, and calibration implementation 
  • Participate in design reviews across EE/ME/SW disciplines, providing interdisciplinary perspective and coordination 
  • Willingness to support occasional travel to support teammates with integration and testing
  • Technical Contributions:
  • Develop and execute test plans for sensor performance characterization and validation 
  • Document sensor characteristics, trade studies, and integration requirements 
  • Develop or modify calibration scripts and data processing tools 
  • Support development of calibration procedures and tooling 
  • Debug issues spanning hardware-firmware-software boundaries 
  • Review and contribute to schematics, CAD models, and code as necessary 

Required qualifications:

    Education & Experience:
  • BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field 
  • 1-4 years of relevant experience (new grads with strong cross-functional internship/project experience will be considered) 
  • Demonstrated ability to work across at least two of: electrical, mechanical, software domains 
  • Technical Skills:
  • Understanding of sensor measurement principles and error sources 
  • Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and/or mechanical drawings 
  • Basic proficiency in scripting or programming for data analysis (Python, MATLAB, or similar) 
  • Familiarity with sensor communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, etc.) 
  • Hands-on experience with lab equipment and sensor testing 
  • Cross-Functional Aptitude:
  • Comfortable learning and working outside primary discipline 
  • Ability to communicate effectively with engineers from different backgrounds 
  • Willingness to engage with hardware, firmware, and software aspects of sensor systems 
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills across multiple domains 

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience with navigation or localization sensors (IMUs, GNSS, cameras, altimeters, etc.) 
  • Exposure to sensor calibration or characterization activities 
  • Basic proficiency with engineering tools such as Altium, NX, and Teamcenter
  • Familiarity with embedded systems or real-time software 
  • Understanding of coordinate transformations or sensor fusion concepts 
  • Experience with automated testing or data acquisition systems 
  • Knowledge of aerospace environmental testing or standards
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.
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. 

About Shield AI

Shield AI

Shield AI is a defense technology company building autonomous AI systems for aircraft, drones, and intelligent mission software used in complex military environments. Founded in 2015, the company is best known for developing Hivemind, an AI pilot system that enables aircraft and drones to operate autonomously in contested and GPS-denied environments, supporting U.S. and allied defense missions.

For job seekers, Shield AI offers opportunities across advanced fields including artificial intelligence, robotics, software engineering, autonomy systems, aerospace engineering, embedded systems, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to engineers, AI researchers, and defense professionals who want to work on real-world autonomous systems that are actively being deployed in operational military scenarios.

Unlike traditional defense contractors, Shield AI operates with a startup-style engineering culture focused on rapid experimentation, real-world testing, and fast deployment of autonomous capabilities. Employees work on tightly integrated AI and robotics systems that combine perception, decision-making, and control, enabling platforms to operate without direct human input in highly complex environments.

As modern warfare increasingly shifts toward autonomous systems, distributed sensing, and AI-enabled decision-making, Shield AI continues to grow as one of the most prominent companies in next-generation defense technology. For professionals seeking to build cutting-edge autonomy systems with direct mission impact, Shield AI stands out as a leading employer in the defense innovation ecosystem.

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