About the role
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
As a Staff Engineer in Modelling and Simulation, you will lead the development, integration, and operationalisation of simulation capabilities that enable Hivemind Mission Autonomy programs in Australia. You will architect, implement, and maintain high‑performance, real‑time and faster‑than‑real‑time simulation environments used by autonomy, perception, and systems engineering teams to design, test, and demonstrate cutting‑edge uncrewed aircraft mission autonomy.
This role involves significant technical leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and delivery of complex simulation frameworks that support both customer programs and internal R&D. You will directly contribute to scalable, operationally representative simulation ecosystems that underpin mission‑critical software development.
What you'll do
- Lead the architecture, design, and evolution of distributed, real‑time simulation systems across virtual, constructive, and live environments.
- Architect and implement high‑performance C++ software for modelling, simulation, integration workflows, and system interoperability, including compatibility with legacy standards.
- Develop and optimise real‑time and distributed simulation software supporting multi‑agent scenarios, high‑fidelity environments, and system‑of‑systems simulations.
- Integrate defence simulation frameworks such as AFSIM or NGTS to accelerate delivery and ensure alignment with defence customer expectations.
- Design and deliver containerised simulation deployments using technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes for development, CI, testing, and operational environments.
- Provide technical and project leadership to engineering teams of 5+ contributors across software, autonomy, perception, test, and program functions.
- Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams to connect simulation with autonomy algorithms, hardware interfaces, and automated test pipelines.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement in CI/CD, test‑driven development, software architecture, and simulation tooling.
- Support key customer programs by delivering robust, validated, and scalable simulation environments.
Required qualifications
- Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
- Extensive professional experience in software engineering and systems integration.
- Strong experience with modern C++ and familiarity with legacy C++ standards.
- Professional experience with Python.
- Demonstrated success delivering reliable software in fast‑paced engineering environments.
- Experience leading teams delivering complex engineering or software projects.
- Hands‑on experience with real‑time, distributed simulation systems or HWIL/SWIL environments.
- Experience with Docker or similar containerisation technologies.
- Proficiency working in Linux development environments.
- Strong problem‑solving capability and ability to work through complex technical challenges.
- Strong history of collaboration, accountability, and being an effective and kind teammate.
- Ability to obtain an Australian NV1 security clearance.
Preferred qualifications
- Defence industry experience.
- Experience with uncrewed systems, particularly in the air domain.
- Experience with AFSIM, NGTS, or similar defence simulation environments.
- Experience with data processing, analysis pipelines, or test automation workflows (especially Python‑based).
This role supports work requiring eligibility to view ITAR and Australian export‑controlled information.
Eligibility
Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems, and this role supports that mission directly by working with Australian Government classified material. It requires an Australian Government security clearance at [Baseline / NV1 / NV2] level.
You don't need to hold a clearance already, we will sponsor your clearance and support you, because mission first, people always. Australian citizenship is a mandatory requirement for this role. It is a condition of clearance eligibility set by the Australian Government, eligibility details are here: https://www.agsva.gov.au/applicants/eligibility-suitability
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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.
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, colour, 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.