2027 Summer Intern - Future Concepts - 6539

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 . Our Summer Internship program is a wonderful opportunity for Fall and Spring graduates to immerse themselves in an innovative and mission driven culture. Our paid internship program will provide you with hands on mentorship, an opportunity to add real contribution to our company via your internship project, and a possible job offer at the end. You will have the chance to make lifelong friendships, expand your network, and learn all about what it's like to work in a high-growth, fast scaling tech unicorn. You'll take part in company sponsored events and enjoy exploring a new city. Read on below to learn more about this unique internship!

About the Role

We are seeking a Future Concepts Intern to explore and evaluate next-generation concepts for Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy across air, space, land, and maritime domains. Partnering closely with mentors in Future Concepts and Operations Analysis, and collaborating with Engineering, Product, and Go-To-Market teams, you will turn emerging technologies and operational needs into credible mission concepts and lightweight analytical prototypes. Over the course of the internship, you will run early-stage trade studies, build scripts and models to test key assumptions, and communicate findings that inform our product roadmap.
This position is ideal for a curious problem-solver with a strong foundation in engineering or a quantitative field and hands-on programming skills. Blending creative thinking with analytical rigor, you will contribute to concept studies, white papers, and briefings that shape how Shield AI addresses critical challenges for the warfighter.

Required Qualifications

* Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in engineering, computer science, operations research, physics, mathematics, data science, or a related technical field.
* Proficiency in at least one programming or analysis tool (such as Python, MATLAB, or C++) for modeling, simulation, or data analysis.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to tackle open-ended questions and clearly communicate complex ideas in writing and presentations.
* Strong interest in autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, or defense.
* Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

* Prior coursework, research, or internship experience in system design, trade studies, modeling and simulation, autonomy, or operations analysis.
* Familiarity with version control, data visualization, and AI-assisted coding and research workflows.
* Familiarity with defense systems, military operations, and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS).
* Active U.S. government security clearance.