Director of Airworthiness (R3367)

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—as well as V-BAT and Sentient Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide.  For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.    

Job Description:

As an Airworthiness Engineering Director, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and regulatory approval of our autonomous aircraft systems. You will be responsible for defining and executing airworthiness strategies in both civil and military regulatory environments, many of which are ill-defined or evolving. You will engage with internal and external stakeholders, including customers, regulators, and industry partners, to drive regulatory alignment, mitigate risks, and ensure successful operational deployment of Shield AI’s products. 

This role requires a proven leader who thrives in ambiguity, proactively builds consensus, and has a deep understanding of airworthiness, autonomy, and safety in emerging regulatory frameworks. 

Why Shield AI? 

Work on cutting-edge AI-powered systems that redefine how aircraft operate. 

Be at the forefront of navigating UAS regulatory challenges, shaping industry best practices. 

Collaborate with industry leaders, regulators, and top engineering talent to drive real-world impact. 

Competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth. 

If you’re an airworthiness expert who thrives in ambiguity and wants to help shape the future of aviation, we’d love to hear from you! 

• Develop and execute airworthiness strategies for Group 3-5 UAS in compliance with civil and military regulations. 
• Engage with regulators and customers to navigate evolving airworthiness requirements for UAS, autonomy, and safety where clear regulations may not yet exist. 
• Lead airworthiness execution across the product lifecycle, ensuring alignment with operational, technical, and regulatory requirements. 
• Define safety and airworthiness requirements for Shield AI’s products and contribute to internal policies and procedures. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate airworthiness and safety considerations into system design, testing, and deployment. 
• Drive regulatory approvals and certification efforts, building relationships with key stakeholders to influence emerging standards. 
• Stay informed of evolving domestic and international airworthiness policies affecting UAS and autonomy. 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field (or equivalent practical experience). 
• 10+ years of experience in airworthiness, safety, or regulatory compliance for aerospace systems, with direct experience in UAS or autonomy. 
• Proven ability to operate in ambiguous regulatory environments, proactively driving solutions and stakeholder alignment. 
• Strong knowledge of domestic and international airworthiness standards (e.g., FAA, EASA, MIL-HDBK-516, STANAGs). 
• Experience engaging with civil and military regulators on complex topics such as autonomy, UAS integration, and operational approvals. 
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence internal teams and external stakeholders. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, evolving environment. 
• Ability to obtain a security clearance.

• Experience with artificial intelligence. 
• Familiarity with aerospace system safety standards, risk management, and certification processes. 
• Previous experience in a high-growth, fast-paced company. 
• Current security clearance.

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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.