5+ years in aircraft systems engineering or avionics integration.
Experience managing top-level aircraft and subsystem requirements.
Familiar with airworthiness and certification standards for fixed-wing aircraft.
Experience with system safety processes like hazard analysis.
Skilled in architecting safety-critical aerospace systems.
Knowledge in avionics hardware selection and integration for flight vehicles.
Cross-functional collaboration experience with hardware, software, and GNC teams.
Responsibilities
Define and manage the aircraft's top-level system architecture.
Lead engagement with authorities to meet airworthiness standards and secure approvals.
Translate regulatory requirements and customer needs into actionable specifications.
Establish requirements development and change-management processes.
Conduct system safety analyses and assessments for safe flight.
Develop system architectures that meet performance and safety standards.
Oversee electronic hardware selection and integration with various teams.
Benefits
Opportunity to shape key architectural decisions as the first systems engineer.
Full visibility into company mission and leadership engagement.
Empowered role to drive innovation and growth within the company.
Involvement in developing systems that have the potential to disrupt the aviation industry.
Full Job Description
Job Title: Systems Engineer Company: Grid.aero Location: Onsite 4 days/week [San Leandro, CA] Role Overview: We are seeking a Systems Engineer with a background in system design and avionics. As the first systems engineering hire, you will take ownership of key architectural decisions for the aircraft. You will own top level requirements development for the aircraft and subsystems and work closely with hardware and software teams to select hardware for the aircraft. You will also be in charge of identifying appropriate airworthiness criteria for the aircraft, and interacting with relevant authorities to secure flight approvals.
As an early hire, you'll help lay the foundation for the company's future growth, both technically and organizationally. You'll have full visibility into our mission, work closely with leadership, and be empowered to drive innovation. If you're excited about building something world-changing and want to play a critical role in shaping an early-stage company, this opportunity is for you.
What You'll Do:
Define and own the aircraft's top-level system architecture, spanning avionics, software, and electronic hardware
Identify and interpret applicable airworthiness and certification standards, and lead engagement with regulatory authorities to secure flight approvals
Translate customer needs and regulatory constraints into clear, actionable aircraft- and subsystem-level requirements
Establish and maintain requirements development, traceability, and change-management processes across the program
Lead system safety activities, including hazard analysis and safety assessments, to ensure safe flight and operational compliance
Develop system, software, and hardware architectures that meet performance, reliability, and safety objectives
Own the aircraft's electronic hardware domain, working closely with hardware, software, and GNC teams on component selection and integration
Support EWIS development, including wiring architecture, hardware layout reviews, and component-level testing and validation
Key Qualifications:
5+ years of experience in aircraft systems engineering, avionics integration, or system architecture development
Experience developing top-level aircraft and subsystem requirements and managing requirements traceability
Familiarity with airworthiness and certification frameworks for fixed-wing aircraft (e.g., Part 23/25, experimental, or military standards)
Experience performing system safety activities such as hazard analysis, functional hazard assessment, or safety assessments
Experience defining system, software, and hardware architectures for safety-critical aerospace systems
Familiarity with avionics hardware selection, integration, and verification for flight vehicles
Experience working cross-functionally with hardware, software, and GNC teams in an aircraft development environment
Familiarity with EWIS design, wiring architecture, and component-level testing preferred
Familiarity with DO-178, DO-254, ARP4754, or MIL-HDBK-516 standards preferred
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work directly with regulators and external stakeholders
