Principal Engineer, AI Infrastructure (R4941)
Shield AI · San Francisco, CA · Hivemind Platform Division
About this role
Shield AI is hiring a principal-level AI Infrastructure Engineer in the machine learning function based in San Francisco, CA. The posting calls out experience with Reinforcement Learning, Distributed Systems, Machine Learning, MLOps. Compensation is listed at $320,000–$490,000 per-year-salary.
- Role
- AI Infrastructure Engineer
- Function
- machine learning
- Level
- principal
- Track
- Tech leadership
- Employment
- Full-time
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
- Department
- Hivemind Platform Division
- Posted
- May 14, 2026
More roles at Shield AI
Job description
from Shield AI careersJob Description:
Shield AI builds autonomy systems for defense applications, including air, maritime, and space platforms operating in complex and contested environments.
We are establishing a centralized AI and Data Platform organization responsible for the infrastructure that underpins autonomy development across Hivemind and other programs. This team owns the systems used to train models, run simulation, manage data, and deploy models to operational environments.
We are seeking a Principal Engineer that will scale an initial architecture into a platform that supports multiple autonomy programs.
Success in this role requires disciplined execution, delivering fast iteration for engineering teams while maintaining reliability, cost control, and architectural consistency as the system scales.