Senior Staff Engineer, System Security (R6509)
Shield AI
Dallas, TX · $175k–$262k a year · Posted November 10, 2026
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Where Dallas, TX ranks
Where Dallas, TX placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #2Best cities for construction and real estate jobs170 openings · of 13
- #2Best all-round cities for remote workers in the Southwest89 / 100 · of 15
- #2Best all-round cities for AI careers in the Southwest84 / 100 · of 15
- #3Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Southwest401 jobs · of 38
- #3Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Southwest772 openings · of 33
- #3Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Southwest72 / 100 · of 15
Rankings about security jobs
- Best cities for security jobs #1 San Francisco (316 openings)
- Best cities for security pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($241k)
- Most requested AI skills in security jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (10.8%)
- Employers with the most security jobs #1 Amazon (318 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing pays about $218,500 a year. Across 41 open senior staff engineer listings that state pay, the middle half runs $217,000 to $265,000 and the median is $240,000. That is inside the middle half of those listings, 9% below the median.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
Senior Staff Engineer salaries by state · Check your own pay
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among computer occupations, all other, AI is already used for a large share of the tasks. Measured exposure for computer occupations, all other: 31% (high).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
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About the job
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: We are seeking a Systems Security Engineer to support embedded Cybersecurity and Anti-Tamper activities for aerospace and defense platforms. The role is responsible for applying the DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) and working with government customers to achieve Authorization to Operate (ATO) for the systems. The team member will also be involved with developing the AT artifacts and documentation for customer AT plan approval.
What you'll do:
Carry out the DoD RMF process and develop the evidence needed to achieve the ATO.
Define the embedded cybersecurity architecture, requirements, models, documentation, and trade studies.
Perform threat modeling, attack-surface analysis, vulnerability assessments, and cyber risk assessments.
Develop the program's AT artifacts and documentation to support government approval of the AT plan.
Plan and execute the cybersecurity implementation and verification
Coordinate between internal teams, stakeholders, suppliers, and customers to effectively communicate and integrate the Cybersecurity solution
Required qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, systems engineering, or a related STEM field, plus at least 8 years of related experience.
Experience with the systems engineering process of developing embedded Cybersecurity solutions in aerospace and defense systems.
Experience with threat modeling, secure system architecture, vulnerability analysis, and security testing.
Familiarity with NIST SP 800-53 and NIST SP 800-160 volumes 1 and 2
Strong technical leadership, writing, and customer communication skills.
Active Secret security clearance with ability to obtain special access
Preferred qualifications:
Knowledge of avionics, mission systems, platform networks, communications, or data links.
Experience with Anti-Tamper, Critical Program Information (CPI) assessments, Key Management Plans, Supply Chain Risk Management, Software Assurance, or Cross Domain Solutions.
Hands-on experience with penetration testing or adversarial assessments.
CISSP certification
#LI-ML2 #LE
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.
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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.