Shield AI · 9 hours ago
Staff Engineer, Simulation Modeling (R3987)
San Diego, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$150K/yr - $225K/yr
4+ years expShield AI is building autonomous aircraft that push the limits of aviation. As a Simulation Modeling Engineer, you will be responsible for improving and adding to aerospace models to ensure seamless translation from simulation to real results, directly impacting the delivery of new features to operators.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Autonomous VehiclesDronesMachine LearningNational Security
Responsibilities
Develop and enhance aerospace physics models (aerodynamics, propulsion, environmental, sensor, etc.) for use in simulation and evaluation
Translate theoretical models into efficient, reliable C++ and Matlab implementations with a focus on numerical accuracy and performance
Validate models against real-world data and authoritative references (e.g., COESA atmosphere, wind tunnel data, flight test logs)
Collaborate with simulation and training application teams to ensure models integrate cleanly into operator-facing tools
Design automated validation and regression testing strategies for mathematical models to ensure fidelity across releases
Prototype and evaluate new modeling techniques (reduced-order models, uncertainty quantification, machine learning–based surrogates) to push the state of the art
Document assumptions, equations, and validation results so that both engineers and operators can trust model outputs
Qualification
Required
BS or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Applied Math, Physics, or related field with 4+ years of aerospace modeling experience
1+ years of experience working on pilot/operator training systems
C++ foundation with experience implementing numerical methods
Demonstrated experience with aerospace models such as: Aerodynamics (lift/drag curves, stability derivatives, dynamic response), Atmosphere/environment (COESA, ICAO, gravity, wind models), Vehicle dynamics
Experience validating simulations against real-world or experimental data
Ability to write clear documentation explaining assumptions, limitations, and expected behaviors of models
Passion for aerospace and autonomous vehicle systems
Strong problem-solving mindset with a collaborative and detail-oriented approach
Preferred
Experience with Eigen, MATLAB/Simulink, or SciPy for model prototyping and validation
Background in multi-body dynamics or flight mechanics
Familiarity with sensor models (GPS, IMU, radar, etc.) for simulation environments
Knowledge of uncertainty quantification and statistical analysis methods
Experience with parallelization or GPU acceleration for compute-heavy models
Familiarity with Python for test automation and data analysis pipelines
Experience contributing to simulation pipelines in aerospace, defense, or robotics domains
Company
Shield AI
Shield AI is a deep-tech company that focuses on developing AI-powered systems to enhance the safety of service members and civilians.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Shield AI has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (3)
2024 (3)
2021 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.31BKey Investors
Hercules CapitalUS Innovative Technology FundSnowpoint Ventures
2025-03-06Series F· $240M
2023-12-29Debt Financing· $200M
2023-10-31Series F· $300M
Leadership Team
Gary Steele
Chief Executive Officer
Brandon Tseng
Co-Founder
Recent News
2025-12-11
Company data provided by crunchbase