--- title: Principal Engineer, Edge Applications & Mission Systems description: Shield AI is hiring for the Principal Engineer, Edge Applications & Mission Systems role in San Diego, CA. See the full description and apply. type: job url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/principal-engineer-edge-applications-and-mission-systems-at-shield-ai-01a14767-b1be-721b-8413-a1a9da9a810f date: 2026-10-17T01:23:12Z og_description: Join Shield AI as Principal Engineer, Edge Applications & Mission Systems in San Diego, CA. Pays $220K–$330K per year. og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/og/8khb2x.png breadcrumbs: - label: Home url: https://www.foundrole.com/ - label: Search url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs --- | | | |---|---| | **Company** | [Shield AI](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/shield-ai?utm_source=ai_markdown) | | **Location** | San Diego, CA | | **Salary** | $220K/yr - $330K/yr | | **Type** | Full Time, Part Time, Temporary | | **Posted** | Oct 16, 2026 | ## Description 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](https://shield.ai/). Follow Shield AI on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/shield-ai), [X](https://x.com/shieldaitech), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/shield_ai), and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@Shield_AI).  ### Job Description: The Lead Edge Applications and Mission System is responsible to drive the technical direction, architecture, and delivery of our edge application platform for autonomous systems. This platform connects operators, autonomous platforms, mission data, and external command-and-control systems, supporting applications ranging from single-vehicle ground control to coordinated fleet operations and theater-level mission planning and execution. You will shape a platform that customers and partners can readily integrate, extend, and adapt to new missions. The scope includes ground control stations (GCS), command and control (C2), integration with battle-management systems (BMS), fleet and configuration management, and agentic workflows that help operators plan, supervise, and manage autonomous robotic systems. As the technical lead, you will combine deep defense-domain knowledge with strong software engineering judgment and a record of shipping operational products. You will remain directly involved in architecture, critical implementation work, and technical problem-solving while aligning engineering teams, product leaders, customers, and other stakeholders around a clear technical roadmap. #LI-DM2 #LF 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. ## Related - [More jobs at Shield AI](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/shield-ai?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Engineering jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Systems Engineering jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering/systems-engineering?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Systems Engineer jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering/systems-engineering/systems-engineer?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Browse all companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) ## Explore this job market - [California](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 277077 jobs - [Defense and Space](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/aerospace-and-defense/defense-and-space?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 63059 jobs - [San Diego, CA](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california/san-diego?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 14258 jobs - [Shield AI](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/shield-ai?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 803 jobs ## Related pages - [California](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 277077 jobs - [Defense and Space](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/aerospace-and-defense/defense-and-space?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 63059 jobs - [San Diego, CA](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california/san-diego?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 14258 jobs - [Shield AI](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/shield-ai?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 803 jobs ## Browse - [Companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by country](https://www.foundrole.com/locations?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs in the United States by state and city](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B sponsors by location](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-sponsors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B salaries](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-salaries?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Sectors and industries](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by career field](https://www.foundrole.com/careers?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Latest jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/latest?utm_source=ai_markdown)