Expression of Interest: Chief Science Officer

United States
Type: Full time
Register Interest

Sentient Shield is currently accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for this role to build our talent pipeline for upcoming defense contract phases. We are not actively hiring for an immediate start but welcome qualified candidates to submit their credentials for future consideration.

About Sentient Shield

Sentient Shield was born from a singular goal: to ensure that those who go into harm's way return home stronger. By combining Humanics-focused engineering with next-generation material science, we are empowering the modern soldier to move faster, stay longer, and survive the unsurvivable.

Job Overview

We are seeking a distinguished Chief Science Officer (CSO) to lead the fundamental research, human-factors exploration, and biomechanical validation that underpin our exoskeleton technology. In this role, you will champion our "Humanics-focused" philosophy, exploring how human biology and cutting-edge material science intersect. You will direct advanced physiological studies, secure non-dilutive research funding, and ensure our products deliver peerless metabolic and injury-prevention benefits.

Key Responsibilities

  • Scientific Vision: Define and lead the core research agenda, investigating advanced biomechanics, metabolic efficiencies, and human-augmentation mechanics.

  • Research & Development: Oversee laboratory and clinical studies tracking electromyography (EMG), metabolic cost, VO2 max, and musculoskeletal stress.

  • Grant & Funding Acquisition: Lead the identification, writing, and acquisition of government research grants (e.g., DARPA, SBIR/STTR, ARPA-H).

  • Academic & Clinical Alliances: Build and maintain strategic research partnerships with tier-one universities, defense medical institutions, and physiological labs.

  • In-Field Physiological Testing: Direct the scientific protocols and human-factors data collection methods used during high-stress field trials at military bases.

  • Thought Leadership: Publish peer-reviewed literature and present breakthrough findings at international defense, biomechanics, and robotics conferences.

Required Qualifications

  • Security Clearance: Must hold, or be fully eligible to obtain and maintain, a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret (or higher) security clearance.

  • Citizenship & Compliance: Must be a U.S. citizen or a national of a NATO alliance country.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Must meet all criteria to maintain compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

  • Education: Ph.D. in Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Human Factors Engineering, or a closely related scientific field.

  • Experience: Minimum of 10+ years leading advanced scientific research pipelines, with significant exposure to wearable tech or human performance augmentation

  • Publication Record: Extensive record of peer-reviewed publications and a demonstrated history of securing multi-million dollar federal research grants.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sentient Shield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by applicable laws and regulations.

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