Lead operational analyses and M&S to evaluate autonomous aircraft effectiveness, survivability, and mission impact. Build and run mission- and campaign-level models, perform trade studies and sensitivity analyses, engage DoD stakeholders, translate findings into system requirements and CONOPS, prepare technical reports/briefings, and coach junior analysts while applying reproducible, version-controlled analysis workflows.
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.
We are seeking a Senior Lead Operational Analyst to contribute to the modeling, simulation, and analysis of Shield AI’s aircraft systems. In this role, you will perform analysis at the component, system, mission and campaign levels to evaluate the effectiveness, survivability, and operational impact of our aircraft across multiple domains, missions and applications. You will collaborate closely with engineering, product, and defense stakeholders to assess system performance, inform design trade-offs, and improve mission outcomes.
This position requires a strong working knowledge of military operations, modeling & simulation (M&S), data science, and operational analysis techniques. Your analyses will directly support product decisions and customer engagements by helping demonstrate how Shield AI’s AI-powered platforms perform in realistic and contested operational environments.
What you'll do:
- Plan, own and execute operational analyses to assess the effectiveness of autonomous systems in representative military scenarios.
- Develop and run modeling, simulation, and wargaming analyses to evaluate system performance, mission impact, and survivability in contested environments.
- Collaborate with engineering teams and product managers to translate operational findings into actionable system insights.
- Perform trade studies and sensitivity analyses to assess system performance across varying operational conditions, assumptions, and threat environments.
- Build, modify, and analyze mission-level models using tools such as AFSIM, STK, MATLAB, Python, or similar M&S frameworks.
- Analyze force-on-force engagements, sensor performance, and autonomy-enabled behaviors to support mission effectiveness assessments.
- Engage with DoD stakeholders, operators, and analysts to understand mission needs and operational constraints.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of concepts of operations (CONOPS) for AI-enabled aircraft capabilities.
- Monitor emerging threats and operational challenges relevant to autonomous and air combat systems.
- Prepare technical documentation, analysis reports, and briefings for internal teams, customers, and government stakeholders.
- Apply modern compute and development best practices (e.g., version control, scripting, scalable compute workflows, and reproducible analysis) to build and maintain reliable analysis pipelines.
- Be a force multiplier by coaching and developing incoming talent.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering or math domain.
- 9+ years of experience in operational analysis, modeling & simulation, operations research, or related defense or aerospace roles.
- Active Secret at a minimum. Preferred Top-Secret clearance (or ability to obtain one).
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Prior experience in force-on-force analysis, CONOPS development, or military campaign modeling.
- Experience with evaluating strategic development and analysis goals for multi-mission/multi-domain applicability.
- Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, tools (Brawler, ESAMS, etc.), Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), and military operational testing.
- Experience leading a product effort from pre-shaping to tactical deployment
- Prior experience in systems engineering product development lifecycle (SysML or MBSE preferred)
- Experience developing technical expertise in a team to execute analyses for system design and analysis.
#LI-AD6
#LE
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.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Perform operational analysis, modeling, simulation, and wargaming to evaluate autonomous aircraft performance, survivability, and mission impact. Build and analyze mission-level models, run trade studies and sensitivity analyses, engage DoD stakeholders, inform CONOPS and system design, monitor threats, and produce technical reports and briefings. Apply reproducible analysis practices and collaborate with engineering and product teams.
Top Skills:
AfsimBrawlerEsamsMatlabMbsePythonStkSysml
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead enterprise strategy and operations: develop multi-year strategic plans, build financial models for capital allocation, translate priorities into cross-functional execution with KPIs, and track performance to sustain execution velocity.
Top Skills:
AechelonAutonomyHivemindV-BatX-Bat
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead multi-year strategic planning and annual operating cycles, evaluate portfolio tradeoffs, build financial models for capital allocation, and translate strategy into cross-functional execution plans with KPIs. Conduct market sizing, competitive analysis, scenario modeling, and track performance through operating cadences to identify bottlenecks and recommend solutions.
Top Skills:
AechelonHivemindV-BatX-Bat
What you need to know about the Seattle Tech Scene
Home to tech titans like Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle punches far above its weight in innovation. But its surrounding mountains, sprinkled with world-famous hiking trails and climbing routes, make the city a destination for outdoorsy types as well. Established as a logging town before shifting to shipbuilding and logistics, the Emerald City is now known for its contributions to aerospace, software, biotech and cloud computing. And its status as a thriving tech ecosystem is attracting out-of-town companies looking to establish new tech and engineering hubs.
Key Facts About Seattle Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 287,000; 13% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software, biotechnology, game development
- Funding Landscape: $3.1 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Madrona, Fuse, Tola, Maveron
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
