Chief Engineer, Autonomy — Space Domain

Job overview

The Chief Engineer, Autonomy — Space Domain role is onsite in Washington, DC. The posting lists annual pay of $210,880–$316,320. The role supports Shield AI’s work building autonomy for national-security space missions. As the senior technical authority, this leader defines and delivers mission-ready autonomy systems across their lifecycle. The role aligns architecture, engineering execution, verification, operational readiness, and customer confidence so distributed space, ground, and payload resources can produce timely, decision-quality information.

What you'll do

• Own space-autonomy technical vision, architecture, execution, risk, verification, and operational readiness
• define autonomy for tasking, collection, processing, and dissemination across space and ground systems
• lead autonomous behaviors for multi-constellation and multi-orbit missions
• govern onboard and offboard processing strategies
• lead exploitation and dissemination design
• establish system interfaces and technical baselines
• lead readiness reviews and verification and validation
• manage technical risks
• partner across engineering, product, operations, security, and customer teams
• support proposals, demonstrations, and technical reviews
• build and mentor a technical organization.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

chief engineer

autonomy

space domain

space systems

mission architecture

multi-constellation autonomy

systems engineering

verification and validation

national security missions

washington dc

$210,880–$316,320 per year

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Regular employee offer package includes pay within range, bonus, benefits, and equity
• temporary employee benefits may apply after 60 days.

Why this role

Senior technical leadership role focused on operational mission-ready autonomy rather than research; advanced degree preferred; 12+ years of relevant experience required; active TS/SCI clearance or eligibility may be required depending on program.

About the employer

Shield AI is hiring for this role. Industry: Engineering Services. Sector: 54.