State Estimation Engineer (R4783)

Shield AI is hiring a State Estimation Engineer (R4783) in Dallas, United States. It pays $150k-$350k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Shield AI.

Level's read on this job

On Level's scale, this role is Builds AI ●●●●: the job is building AI systems.
Tools and skills the posting cites include computer vision.
Level classifies it as a mid-level role.
Level lists 659 other open roles at Shield AI.

AI in this role

computer-vision

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.
Job Description: As a State Estimation Engineer, you will play a critical role on the GNC team, contributing to the development, optimization, and deployment of advanced sensor fusion and navigation algorithms for autonomous UAV operations in dynamic and contested environments. You will help design real-time sensor processing pipelines, integrate multi-sensor data for robust state estimation, and collaborate closely with autonomy researchers, software engineers, and hardware teams to ensure high system performance and reliability. Your work will support the transition of cutting-edge research into fielded capabilities, helping Shield AI deliver precision navigation solutions for mission-critical applications.

What you'll do:

Develop and implement real-time state estimation algorithms including inertial navigation, sensor fusion, and alternative navigation methods for GPS-denied or degraded environments.
Integrate data from IMUs, GNSS receivers, visual odometry, magnetometers, barometers, and radar into robust estimation frameworks.
Design sensor processing pipelines focused on accuracy, robustness, and system-level fault tolerance.
Collaborate with autonomy, software, and hardware teams to ensure end-to-end integration of navigation and PNT systems.
Conduct simulation, lab testing, and field trials to evaluate algorithm performance under real-world conditions.
Stay current on advancements in state estimation and navigation technologies and help adapt new innovations into deployable solutions.

Required qualifications:

Typically requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree; or 2 years with a master’s degree; or 1 years with a PhD; or equivalent practical experience.
Familiarity with algorithms.
Proficient in C++11 or newer in real-time environments.
Comfortable working in Linux, with experience using standard command-line tools and scripting.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with a collaborative mindset.
Demonstrated success working in fast-paced development cycles and delivering high-quality results.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience developing and deploying real-time navigation or sensor fusion algorithms using IMUs, GPS, or other sensors.
Strong understanding of filtering and estimation techniques (e.g., Kalman filters, EKF, UKF, particle filters).
Experience implementing inertial navigation algorithms in degraded or GPS-denied conditions.
Exposure to visual odometry or computer vision-based navigation approaches.
Experience optimizing code for performance on compute-constrained platforms.
Familiarity with CUDA or hardware acceleration techniques (e.g., FPGAs).
Experience transitioning navigation solutions from research into production environments.

#LI-SM1 #LD
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.

How we rate this

State Estimation Engineer (R4783) at Shield AI rates 88 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Builds AI (AI Level 4 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

State Estimation Engineer (R4783) is an open job at Shield AI.
Level rates this role AI Level 4 of 4: Builds AI.
The listed salary is $150k-$350k a year.
The role is based in Dallas, Texas.
The job was posted on November 4, 2025.
Seniority: mid.
Applications are handled by Shield AI. Apply on Shield AI

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Computer vision

Questions you could be asked

Walk me through a computer vision problem you solved, from raw data to a deployed model.
How would you decide a model or AI system is ready to ship?
Tell me about a time a model underperformed in production. How did you find out, and what did you change?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Computer vision. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
Lead with what you built, trained or shipped. This role is judged on the AI system itself, not the tools around it.

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