Job Description:As a Senior Systems Engineer on Shield AI's next gen UAS program, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and integrating cutting-edge autonomous aircraft systems for national defense. You will lead the technical execution of system architecture, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission-critical systems.
This position requires a deep understanding of aerospace systems engineering, autonomy, and complex system integration. You will work cross-functionally with teams in hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing to develop a scalable, mission-ready platform capable of operating in contested environments.
Your expertise will be critical in defining system requirements and architectures through model-based systems engineering, conducting trade studies, ensuring compliance with military and aviation standards, and supporting the aircraft through flight testing and operational deployment.
What You'll Do:- Perform System Architecture & Design: Develop and refine the system architecture for the next gen UAS, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission systems.
- Define and document system-level behavior, including modes, states, transitions, and fault responses
- Support safety analyses (FHA, FMEA, FTA) by defining behavior under fault conditions
- Define and Manage System Requirements: Establish top-level requirements, decompose them into subsystems, and maintain traceability across the development lifecycle.
- Autonomy & AI Integration: Work closely with autonomy and software teams to integrate AI-driven flight control, decision-making, and mission execution capabilities.
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Utilize SysML, DOORS, or other MBSE tools to create digital system models, conduct trade studies, and optimize system performance.
- Risk Management & Trade Studies: Conduct trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess technical risks, and ensure the best engineering solutions for mission effectiveness.
- Stakeholder & Customer Engagement: Work closely with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to align system capabilities with operational requirements.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion, and flight operations teams to drive seamless system integration and rapid development cycles.
Required Qualifications:- 5+ years of experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or autonomous aircraft systems.
- Demonstrated experience defining system behavior logic and operational modes
- Deep expertise in system architecture, avionics integration, and autonomy-driven flight systems.
- Proficiency in MBSE, DOORS, SysML, CAMEO, or similar system modeling tools for complex systems design and analysis.
- Experience with Group 4 or Group 5 UAS, military aircraft, or autonomous airborne platforms.
- Strong background in flight testing, system integration, and performance validation.
- Knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, MIL-STDs, FAA airworthiness certification, and airborne system safety standards.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive complex projects to successful completion.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile development environment with shifting priorities.
- Worked on developmental program from clean sheet to first flight
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience developing AI-driven autonomy for unmanned aircraft.
- Expertise in ISR, EW, and advanced sensor integration for airborne platforms.
- Familiarity with modular open system architectures (MOSA) and Government Reference Architectures (GRA) for defense applications.
- Prior experience working with defense primes, DoD stakeholders, or government R&D programs.
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance (or ability to obtain one).
$115,000 - $170,000 a year
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
