# Senior Staff Engineer, Survivability (R4606)

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** San Diego, CA, Dallas, TX, Washington, DC
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $170k – $250k/yr
**Experience:** 10+ years
**Skills:** rcs shaping, lo materials, hfss, cst studio suite, xpatch, sentri, electromagnetic simulation, radar absorbing materials, survivability analysis, Threat Modeling
**Posted:** 2026-04-08

> Senior Staff Survivability Engineer responsible for designing and optimizing low-observable features on autonomous aircraft, including RCS shaping, EM signature modeling, and LO materials integration to ensure mission success in contested environments. Requires 10+ years in LO/survivability engineering, EM simulation proficiency, and active Secret clearance.

## Job Description

## What you'll do
- Design and optimize low observable (LO) features across the airframe focusing on shaping, edge treatments, radar-absorbing materials, and subsystem integration.
- Conduct modeling and simulation of electromagnetic signatures using industry-standard tools such as HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Xpatch, and SENTRi.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams in propulsion, avionics, structures, and AI to ensure survivability is baked into the system architecture from day one.
- Lead or support signature testing efforts, including indoor and outdoor RCS range tests, validation campaigns, and supplier-level hardware evaluations.
- Translate mission threats and requirements into survivability features that address RCS, thermal, visual, and acoustic observability constraints.
- Partner with materials scientists to mature radar-absorbing coatings and structural RAM for manufacturability and field durability.
- Support internal and customer assessments, threat modeling reviews, and milestone decisions throughout the program lifecycle.

## Required qualifications
- B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
- 10+ years of hands-on experience in LO or survivability engineering, preferably on tactical aircraft, UAVs, or stealth systems.
- Proficiency with EM simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, Xpatch, or SENTRi.
- Strong understanding of RCS shaping principles, edge treatments, cavity suppression, and materials integration.
- Practical experience with LO testing methods and RCS measurement equipment.
- Familiarity with radar-absorbing materials (RAM), LO coatings, and structural LO trade studies.
- Solid collaboration and communication skills with the ability to work across design, test, and manufacturing teams.
- U.S. Citizenship and active Secret clearance required.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

## Preferred qualifications
- Experience with military UAV platforms or 5th-gen fighter programs.
- Background in survivability analysis in contested environments (e.g., IADS, radar networks).
- Familiarity with platform CONOPS, threat modeling, and mission-level survivability assessments.
- Ability to contribute to the design, test, and fielding of a fully integrated LO platform.
- Active Top Secret or SCI clearance.

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