About Shield AI
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its flagship autonomy software, Hivemind, powers aircraft, drones, and other platforms, enabling complex missions with high reliability in contested environments. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and internationally, Shield AI’s products actively support U.S. and allied operations worldwide.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
An Architect on the HMS Architecture Team is responsible for defining, managing, and governing the architecture of a specific system area, aligned with Hivemind (HM) systems such as Pilot, Foundation, Forge, and Commander. They ensure seamless integration of their domain with the broader system architecture, balancing technical innovation with program objectives and customer requirements. The Architects will work with their HM counterparts to address any forthcoming challenges, before they become issues or risks for HMS programs.
Architects must maintain a deep understanding of HMS program technical execution paths, feature needs, and develop a comprehensive approach to addressing both short- and long-term requirements while driving innovation. Serving as the central point of coordination ("belly button") for technical alignment between HM and HMS, architects convey how both organizations remain synchronized in their roadmaps and execution, actively participating in the joint Architecture Board. They are empowered through influence over the technical roadmap, systems engineering processes, and program execution strategies through collaboration with Chief Engineers. While Chief Engineers and System Engineers are responsible for the technical execution of their respective programs, the Architects are responsible for maintaining awareness, custody and governing the cohesive technical roadmap within HMS.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- 1. Domain-Specific Leadership
- -Own the architecture for a designated system area (aligned with HM systems such as Pilot, Foundation, Forge, or Commander).
- -Define and document designs, interfaces, sequences, and dependencies, ensuring integration with the broader system architecture.
- -Maintain an up-to-date understanding of program requirements, technical execution paths, and feature needs in their domain.
- 2. Collaboration and Integration
- -Collaborate with other architects to ensure seamless cross-domain integration and resolve dependencies.
- -Work with the Architecture Board to align architectural decisions and system-wide goals.
- -Partner with Systems Engineering (SE) to document Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) artifacts and validate system-level coherence.
- -Collaboratively work with counter parts and peers within HM team to align and deconflict technical challenges before they become issues for HMS programs.
- 3. Stakeholder Engagement
- -Capture and integrate feedback and feature requests from HMS Systems Engineers (SE), Chief Engineers (CE), Program Managers (PM), and Business Development (BD).
- -Act as the central technical conduit for communicating alignment between HM and HMS technical strategies, roadmaps, and execution.
- 4. Technical Roadmap and Innovation
- -Drive the HMS technical roadmap for their domain, aligning with HMS program needs and customer requirements.
- -Inform IRAD strategies and ensure domain-specific innovation is incorporated into future development efforts.
- -Develop and implement strategies for both near-term and long-term feature development to meet program objectives while fostering innovation.
- 5. Testing and Validation
- -Define and support testing strategies and validation criteria to ensure architectural alignment with program goals.
- -Ensure test cases cover relevant use cases and align with system-level objectives and requirements.
- -Translate HMS specific USG and international military needs into productive design decisions influencing HM and HMS roadmaps.
- 6. New Concepts and BD Support
- -Evaluate new applications and concepts against the architecture and technical roadmap, supporting Business Development (BD) initiatives.
- -Collaborate with the New Concepts Team to perform technical due diligence and ensure feasibility and alignment of innovative ideas.
- 7. Governance and Decision-Making
- -Actively participate and lead Architecture Board meetings to resolve issues, align on system-wide decisions, and influence roadmaps.
- -Exercise influence over Systems Engineering (SE) processes and program execution strategies through collaboration with Chief Engineers.
- -Ensure all architectural decisions are guided by governance standards and long-term technical objectives.
KEY OUTCOMES:
- Delivery of robust, scalable architectures for their assigned domain, fully integrated into the overall system.
- Comprehensive documentation of MBSE artifacts, designs, interfaces, and testing strategies.
- Clear alignment of HM and HMS technical roadmaps and development strategies, communicated effectively to stakeholders.
- Technical innovation driven by a balance of short- and long-term program needs.
- Effective collaboration across architects, stakeholders, and teams to ensure alignment and coherence in execution.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
- Lead the design and integration of complex software architectures for autonomous systems.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Hardware, AI, Embedded Systems, Platform) to ensure cohesive design and execution.
- Develop and maintain a technical roadmap that aligns with both immediate product milestones and broader strategic objectives.
- Participate in architecture reviews and provide technical guidance on best practices, design patterns, and technology choices.
- Proactively identify potential risks or bottlenecks and lead the effort to mitigate them.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 10+ years of experience in systems or software architecture for complex, distributed, or mission-critical applications.
- Demonstrated expertise in creating and managing architectural artifacts (e.g., system context diagrams, UML/SysML models, interface definitions, design patterns).
- Proven success coordinating diverse technical teams, resolving stakeholder conflicts, and ensuring cohesive end-to-end solutions.
- Solid understanding of DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software development methodologies in an Agile environment.
- Familiarity with architecture frameworks such as DoDAF, particularly in regulated or defense-oriented contexts.
- Strong track record of leading cross-functional governance boards or architecture councils to guide strategic decisions and maintain alignment among stakeholders.
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.
