Staff Mission Systems Engineer - Ranger (R6405)

The role

This senior technical role leads the end-to-end engineering of mission systems on next-gen unmanned aircraft, including payloads, communications, avionics, and weapons. The engineer shapes technical direction, leads system architecture and integration from concept through flight test and fielding.

What you will do

• Lead system architecture and requirements development and integration for payloads, avionics, and weapons
• Serve as technical subject matter expert for mission systems engineering across the aircraft program
• Drive trade studies and system-of-systems analysis to balance performance, cost, and schedule
• Oversee integration and test campaigns, from bench-level hardware-in-the-loop to flight test
• Ensure compliance with MIL-HDBK-516C, DO-178C, DO-254, and related standards
• Collaborate with program management to de-risk architectures and meet technical maturity gates
• Interface with customers, partners, and suppliers to align system requirements and certifications

Required qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• Typically a minimum of 7 years of relevant aerospace or defense experience, with at least 5 years in mission systems integration
• Demonstrated experience with aircraft payloads, avionics, and/or weapons integration
• Demonstrated experience with line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight aircraft communications systems and components
• Working knowledge of Government MOSA standards, including open mission systems, Government Reference Architectures, or modular avionics standards
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex systems to fielded capability
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering processes and product development lifecycle
• Familiarity with DO-178C and DO-254 certification requirements for software and hardware
• Excellent communication skills and ability to brief technical findings to executives and customers
• Active Secret clearance and ability to obtain a Top-Secret clearance

Nice to have

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace, Systems, or Electrical Engineering
• Hands-on experience with flight test operations and mission system validation
• Direct experience integrating advanced sensors, autonomy, AI-enabled payloads, or guided weapons
• Background in model-based systems engineering and SysML tools
• Strong knowledge of current aircraft mission systems vendors and capabilities
• Active DoD Secret clearance

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

• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check
• Active Secret clearance required, and ability to obtain a Top-Secret clearance
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits

About the company

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