Position Overview:As the Chief Systems Architect, you will serve as the hands-on engineering leader driving technical execution across AIRO's high-growth drone business. You will own the system design and build the engineering infrastructure needed to turn complex requirements into field-ready tactical and commercial platforms. From architecting Modular Open Systems Architectures (MOSA) to locking down baseline APIs, you will translate strategic goals into production-grade hardware and software realities.You will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through the entire lifecycle-rigorously designing, testing, and deploying next-generation autonomous systems. Your day-to-day focus will center on aggressive platform SWaP-C optimization, integrating advanced autonomy algorithms, and enforcing standard engineering practices that accelerate flight-readiness. If you thrive on solving complex integration bottlenecks, working directly with hardware and code, and rapidly fielding mission-critical uncrewed systems, this role delivers immediate impact.Key Responsibilities:- UAS Architecture & Technical Authority: Serve as the chief engineering authority across drone programs, defining system boundaries, flight-critical architectures, and standard APIs.
- Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA): Architect open, extensible hardware and software baselines, governing Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and ensuring strict NDAA compliance.
- UAV System Design & Integration: Architect end-to-end UAV platforms, driving the design and integration of flight-critical avionics, propulsion, mission payloads, power systems, and onboard compute.
- SWaP-C Optimization & Trade Studies: Lead multidisciplinary trade studies to optimize Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) across compute, payloads, and power subsystems.
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Implement end-to-end MBSE workflows (Cameo, Jama, MATLAB/Simulink) for requirement verification, behavioral modeling, and ICD tracing.
- Customer & Stakeholder Technical Leadership: Act as the primary technical interface for government and commercial customers, translating complex architectures into high-impact proposals and program reviews.
- Full-Lifecycle Program Execution: Drive platforms through major defense and commercial milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) to deliver validated, field-ready autonomous systems.
- Applied Innovation & AI/ML: Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies, applying onboard AI/ML and edge computing to enhance autonomous mission performance.
Qualifications:- 10+ years of progressive systems engineering and architecture experience within aerospace, defense, or autonomous robotics platforms.
- Proven track record leading system-level architecture, payload integration, and SWaP-C trade studies for unmanned aircraft systems (Group 1-3+ UAS, eVTOL, or fixed-wing drones).
- Deep domain expertise in MOSA, NDAA compliance, open architecture communication buses, and strict ICD compliance.
- Hands-on proficiency with MBSE and modeling toolsets (Cameo, MATLAB / Simulink, etc...) combined with Jira and Confluence governance.
- Demonstrated leadership in setting technical standards, and coordinating cross-functional disciplines (embedded systems, GCS, autonomy, RF, and mechanical design).
- Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Security Clearance.
Education:• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, plus a minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience; or • Master's degree in Engineering, plus a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.Preferred Qualifications:- 10+ years' experience in as a Chief System Architect or Chief Engineer.
- Direct experience with autonomous drone software stacks, edge AI compute (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson), Software Defined Radios (SDR), or RF/electronic payloads.
- Familiarity with military/commercial UAS standards (e.g., STANAG 4586, DO-178C/DO-254, FAA Part 107/BVLoS airworthiness requirements).
- Experience working in an iterative or Agile delivery environment, ideally including exposure to DevOps based build-it, run-it teams.
- Proven leadership experience in leading technical engineering teams, preferably with a track record of successfully delivering complex architecture projects.
- Experience influencing technical strategy and leading execution of cross-functional initiatives
SECURITY & COMPLIANCE• Comply with all company information, security policies and procedures
• Ensure proper handling and protection of proprietary information
• Share information only on a need-to-know basis
• Adhere to company non-disclosure requirements
Physical and Mental Requirements:• Standing and sitting for extended periods of time,
• Lifting up to 25 pounds in a safe and prudent manner,
• Ability to work and communicate well with other employees and management, customers, visitors, vendors.
• Ability to perform work utilizing manual dexterity of the hands,
• Ability to push, pull, bend, stoop, reach above and below shoulders, and full use of upper extremities,
• Ability to easily move through an approximately 25,000 square foot warehouse building,
• Ability to read, write, and understand English,
• Correctable vision and hearing.
Company Benefits• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Commuter Benefits
• Basic Life Insurance - fully paid by the company for employees and their dependents
• Long-Term Disability Insurance - fully paid by the company
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance options
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee may also be asked to perform other reasonably related job duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor as required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. 
