Staff Engineer, Product Security & Compliance (R4650)

Founded in 2015, 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 and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. 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. 
Shield AI is seeking a senior security professional to lead product security and compliance efforts for our operational autonomous aircraft platforms. This role blends ISSM-level responsibility with hands-on product security and deep collaboration with engineering teams building real, fielded systems.   The ideal candidate brings experience securing aerospace or defense products and approaches compliance as an enabler of mission success. This role emphasizes practical, engineering-driven security decisions that balance regulatory requirements with system performance, autonomy, and operational realities.  

What you'll do:

• Serve as the product security lead and ISSM for operational autonomous aircraft platforms. 
• Own and guide RMF activities, including ATO packages, ongoing authorization, and customer security engagements
• Translate security and compliance requirements into product-appropriate, technically sound controls
• Partner closely with systems, software, hardware, and platform engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle
• Evaluate the security impact and operational tradeoffs of design decisions
• Support government and customer audits, assessments, and security reviews
• Contribute to the maturation of product security and compliance practices across Shield AI

Required qualifications:

• Experience functioning as an Information System Security Manager (ISSM) or senior ISSO for complex systems
• Experience securing aerospace and/or defense products
• Strong working knowledge of RMF, NIST 800-53, and the ATO process
• Enough systems engineering or technical depth to assess the reasonableness and impact of security requirements
• Ability to work effectively with engineering teams in fast-paced, product-driven environments
• Active U.S. Secret security clearance
• Ability to work on-site in Frisco, TX

Preferred qualifications:

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance
• Experience with CMMC and ISO 27001 implementation or assessment
• Product security experience beyond enterprise IT or GRC-only roles
• Commercial technology experience in addition to defense
• Familiarity with secure development lifecycles and embedded or autonomous systems

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.