Senior Engineer, Sensor Integration (R5128)

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: We are seeking a Sensor Integration Engineer to support selection, characterization, calibration, and integration of multi-modal navigation and localization sensors for the X-BAT State Estimation team. This role operates at the intersection of software, electrical, and mechanical 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 

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 

Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

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 

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 

Work environment:

Collaborative team environment working with EE, ME, and SW engineers 

Hands-on lab work combined with analysis and documentation 

Occasional travel for te …