Sr. Staff Engineer, GNC - BlueSky (R5798)
Remote Los Angeles Full-time Senior Engineering Leadership
At a glance
Senior Engineering Leadership role at Shield AI. Remote, United States · full-time · $173,000–$250,000 base.
SalaryStated by Shield AI
$173,000 – $250,000
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
This role, from Shield AIOur estimate for the market: $202,338–$244,750Median $231,500
The range includes the market median of $231,500 for senior engineering leadership roles in Los Angeles, compared against the Los Angeles market.
Worked out from 20 postings that stated pay, median $231,500. Last updated Oct 23, 2026.
RoleEngineering Leadership
SenioritySenior
LocationLos Angeles
WorkplaceRemote
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$173,000–$250,000
PostedAug 27, 2026 · 8w ago
Role brief
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Develop guidance, navigation and control algorithms for a blue-sky flight project, using first-principles engineering
- Model vehicle dynamics and build flight controls or simulations for aircraft
- Tune and optimize control systems in simulations and real-world tests
- Use C++ in production and Matlab and Simulink to develop and assess control systems
What you bring
- A qualifying engineering degree focused on control systems, plus the stated experience threshold for your degree level
- Production experience with C++, along with Matlab and Simulink experience
- Expert command of aircraft dynamics, control, stability and handling qualities
- Hands-on experience tuning control systems in simulation and real-world settings
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance
Who this fits
This senior engineering role suits someone with deep aircraft controls expertise who wants to solve complex problems on a fast-moving team. It is listed as remote in Los Angeles.
From the employer
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.
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.
The Guidance Navigation Control engineering team focuses on researching and developing state-of-the-art algorithms that drive high-performance flight for a blue-sky project.. As a GNC Engineer on this team, you’ll work on an agile team grounded in first principles to push the boundaries of the state-of-the-art.
Required Qualifications:
- BS in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering with a focus on Control Systems
- Minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience in the area of vehicle dynamics modeling, flight controls, or simulation.
- Experience with C++ in a production environment
- Experience with Matlab and Simulink
- Expert knowledge of aircraft dynamics and control, stability, and handling qualities
- Experience tuning and optimizing control systems in simulation and real-world
- Passion for solving complex problems in a fast-moving environment
- Demonstrated record of working hard, strong communication skills, being a trustworthy teammate, and being kind to others
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- MS or PhD in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering with a focus on Control Systems
- Experience with Modern Control Theory, e.g. LQR/LQG, Adaptive Control, Robust Control, Model Predictive Control (MPC), etc.
- Proficient with extracting linear aircraft state space models from nonlinear equations of motion
- Proficient with design or selection of servos, inertial navigation systems, air data units, vision-based navigation systems
- Familiarity with Kalman Filters
- Familiarity with system identification techniques
- Familiarity with git, continuous integration & delivery, etc.
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.