Senior Systems Engineer (R5962)

The role

You will design and integrate autonomous aircraft systems for the next gen UAS program, leading system architecture and integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensors and mission systems. You will work with hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations and manufacturing teams, and support flight testing and deployment.

What you will do

• Develop and refine the system architecture for the next gen UAS
• 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
• Establish top-level system requirements, decompose them into subsystems and maintain traceability
• Work with autonomy and software teams to integrate AI-driven flight control and mission execution
• Use SysML, DOORS or other MBSE tools to build system models, run trade studies and optimize performance
• Conduct trade studies and assess technical risks
• Engage with DoD stakeholders, industry partners and government agencies on operational requirements
• Partner with hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion and flight operations teams on integration
• Support the aircraft through flight testing and operational deployment

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
• 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 completion
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile development environment with shifting priorities
• Experience working on a developmental program from clean sheet to first flight

Nice to have

• 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)
• Prior experience working with defense primes, DoD stakeholders or government R&D programs
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance, or ability to obtain one

Benefits

• Bonus for full-time regular employees
• Benefits for full-time regular employees
• Equity for full-time regular employees
• Temporary benefits package for temporary employees, applicable after 60 days of employment

Before you apply

• Ability to obtain an S//SAR level security clearance is desired
• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.