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Staff Engineer, Product Security & Compliance (R4650)

Dallas, Texas
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

Shield AI is seeking a senior security professional to lead product security and compliance efforts for our operational autonomous aircraft platforms. This role blends ISSM-level responsibility with hands-on product security and deep collaboration with engineering teams building real, fielded systems.
The ideal candidate brings experience securing aerospace or defense products and approaches compliance as an enabler of mission success. This role emphasizes practical, engineering-driven security decisions that balance regulatory requirements with system performance, autonomy, and operational realities.

What you'll do:

  • Serve as the product security lead and ISSM for operational autonomous aircraft platforms. 
  • Own and guide RMF activities, including ATO packages, ongoing authorization, and customer security engagements
  • Translate security and compliance requirements into product-appropriate, technically sound controls
  • Partner closely with systems, software, hardware, and platform engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle
  • Evaluate the security impact and operational tradeoffs of design decisions
  • Support government and customer audits, assessments, and security reviews
  • Contribute to the maturation of product security and compliance practices across Shield AI

Required qualifications:

  • Experience functioning as an Information System Security Manager (ISSM) or senior ISSO for complex systems
  • Experience securing aerospace and/or defense products
  • Strong working knowledge of RMF, NIST 800-53, and the ATO process
  • Enough systems engineering or technical depth to assess the reasonableness and impact of security requirements
  • Ability to work effectively with engineering teams in fast-paced, product-driven environments
  • Active U.S. Secret security clearance
  • Ability to work on-site in Frisco, TX

Preferred qualifications:

  • Active Top Secret (TS) clearance
  • Experience with CMMC and ISO 27001 implementation or assessment
  • Product security experience beyond enterprise IT or GRC-only roles
  • Commercial technology experience in addition to defense
  • Familiarity with secure development lifecycles and embedded or autonomous 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.
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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