---
title: 'Senior Tools Engineer at Aechelon Technology'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-tools-engineer-aechelon-technology-south-san-francisco-14vmeq06vp3q'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-09'
---

# Senior Tools Engineer at Aechelon Technology

- **Company:** Aechelon Technology
- **Location:** South San Francisco, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-10-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-09
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aechelontechnology/jobs/5459329008

## Job description

Aechelon Technology, a Shield AI company, is a leading producer of 3D simulator content, including Geospecific visual/sensor databases and realistic 3D models. We seek people who share our passion for real-time computer graphics and commitment to our mission of helping make our Nation’s pilots safer. We will give you a chance to work with some of the most talented people in the graphics industry.

The Senior Tool Engineer's primary role is to support our art team by designing tools and automating processes for the content creation pipeline.

Experience Required for this Position:

- Own the design, development, testing, optimization, and maintenance of C++ tools
- Design, write, and update Python tools and scripts to enhance and automate areas of our production pipeline
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with artists, engineers, producers, and testers to build phenomenal pipelines and products

Minimum Qualifications:

- BS in Engineering, Computer Science or similar technical field
- 5+ years of experience in content creation software design, development and integration
- Passion for real-time computer graphics and art pipelines
- In-depth knowledge and experience in C++ and Python
- Experience programming 2D/3D content creation tools for film, game, or simulation pipelines
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills
- Ability to bridge the creative and technical aspects of computer graphics
- BS in Engineering, Computer Science or similar technical field
- Eligibility to work with export-controlled technology

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience in software development for CGI or game development
- Experience with performance optimizations in real-time simulations or games
- Development experience creating plug-ins and pipeline automation within Maya and Photoshop
- Experience with user interface development and design using Qt and pyQt/pySide
- Experience with Google Earth and GIS tools such as QGIS or ArcMap

Compensation and Benefits:

$133,280 - $199,920 per year

The above range is specific to CALIFORNIA and may not be applicable to other locations. Final compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience.

We offer a very attractive compensation package including competitive base salary, company performance-based profit sharing, 401k, 100% employer paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, std, ltd, and life insurance plans).

No relocation reimbursement provided.

This position description is not intended to be a complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee holding this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may be changed or others may be assigned at any time by the Company with notice to the employee.

Shield AI is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing access and opportunities to individuals with disabilities. If you are an applicant who is unable to fully utilize/access our application process because of a disability, Aechelon Technology will provide a reasonable accommodation. Please send an email to dl-aechelon_hr-team@shield.ai to request that accommodation, and please be sure to include a detailed description of your requested accommodation, your name and preferred method of contact.

## About Aechelon Technology

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Aechelon Technology provides mission-grade synthetic reality visualization and simulation solutions for defense, national security, and emergency response customers.
- **Entity Type**: Private (acquired by Shield AI, Inc. in November 2024)
- **Headquarters**: South San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founded**: 1998
- **Founders**: Nacho Sanz-Pastor (Co-Founder & CEO), Javier Castellar (Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer)

## Core Business
- Primary industry/industries: Defense Technology, Simulation & Training, Synthetic Reality, AI/ML Data Generation
- Target customers: U.S. Department of Defense (all branches), U.S. Allies, Government Prime Contractors, national security and emergency response organizations
- Mission statement: "Ensure the safety, mission readiness and tactical superiority of national security and emergency response customers with immersive, high-fidelity and geo-specific representations of the real world."

## Products & Services
- **Nucleus**: Real-time image generator with 8K imagery at 240Hz, multi-GPU single chassis design, incorporating AI/ML-driven databases.
- **Nexus**: Secure shared storage solution for geospatial and sensor databases.
- **SkyBeam™**: Rapid database updates and full motion video (FMV) generation.
- **RTK (Radar Toolkit)**: Software toolkit for radar simulation and sensor modeling.
- **Geo-Specific Databases**: High-fidelity, multi-spectral digital twin of Earth for training, testing, and mission rehearsal.
- **Mixed Reality (MR) Trainers**: Head-mounted display solutions for immersive training, including eye-limiting multi-sensor MR systems.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company, acquired by Shield AI)
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue of ~$23.6 million (LinkedIn estimate)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Shield AI (parent company since November 2024), Sagewind Capital (prior investment)
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of 174 employees (+17.8% YoY, +34 people); LinkedIn followers grew 73.1% year-over-year; over 1,000 DoD operational flight training systems supported across U.S. and Allies; active on major defense programs including F-35, P-8 Poseidon, CH-47F, MH-60R/S, and F-16.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unmatched Fidelity**: Real-time 8K imagery at 240Hz with real-world physics, precise terrain, weather, and light reflection.
- **Multi-Domain Expertise**: Decades of experience (since 1998) in visual simulation for air, ground, and maritime platforms across all U.S. military branches.
- **AI/ML Integration**: Ability to generate synthetic training data and virtual sensor feeds to validate autonomous systems and AI/ML models at scale.
- **Proven Track Record**: Excellent past performance evaluations on numerous high-profile defense programs with zero delivery failures noted.
- **Patented Technology**: Holds 8+ patents in image generation and display systems, with 11 patents attributed to key engineer David Morgan.

## Strategic Focus
- **Autonomous Systems & AI**: Scaling synthetic data generation for AI/ML training of autonomous navigation and ISR systems.
- **Digital Twin Expansion**: Developing global commercial databases for multi-domain operations.
- **Multi-Spectral Sensor Simulation**: Enhancing sensor capabilities across visual, radar, and infrared spectrums for mission rehearsal.
- **Growth Through Shield AI**: Leveraging acquisition to accelerate development and expand market reach.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven Work**: Directly contribute to national security and support U.S. Armed Forces and Allies.
- **Cutting-Edge Tech**: Work with state-of-the-art AI/ML, 8K real-time graphics, and mixed reality systems.
- **Stability & Growth**: Long-standing company (27+ years) with consistent growth and recent acquisition by Shield AI.
- **Culture**: Emphasizes innovation, trustworthiness, and "performance without compromise" as core values.
- **Locations**: South San Francisco, CA (HQ); Overland Park, KS; Orlando, FL; Farmer's Branch, TX; presence in Spain and Canada.
- **Open Roles**: 17 active positions across Software Engineering, QA, Data Science, Systems Engineering, IT, and Content Creation (as of search date).

## Sources
1. [aechelon.com](https://aechelon.com/)
2. [aechelon.com/about](https://aechelon.com/about/)
3. [aechelon.com/careers](https://aechelon.com/careers/)
4. [Greenhouse Job Board](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aechelontechnology)
5. [LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aechelon-technology)

## Other roles at Aechelon Technology

- [Staff Tools Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-tools-engineer-aechelon-technology-south-san-francisco-1awwwm3tpr24) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Senior AI Enablement Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-ai-enablement-software-engineer-aechelon-technology-overland-park-264vttdbf5m5) — Overland Park, KS
- [Lead Quality Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-quality-specialist-aechelon-technology-united-states-rf8c0515me9d) — United States
- [Staff QA Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-qa-test-engineer-aechelon-technology-orlando-9q8558yhzjbv) — Orlando, FL
- [System Platform Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/system-platform-engineer-aechelon-technology-south-san-francisco-n1fcman75fds) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Senior Sustainment Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-sustainment-engineer-aechelon-technology-united-states-vyzx9s76p6nj) — United States
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- [Staff Engineer, Frontend Applications](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineer-frontend-applications-aechelon-technology-south-san-francisco-pef8vwsg003j) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Geotypical Production Modeler](https://feeny.ai/job/geotypical-production-modeler-aechelon-technology-south-san-francisco-rvdgjzee5csg) — South San Francisco, CA