Senior Systems Engineer (R6455)

The role

You will design, develop and integrate autonomous aircraft systems for national defense. You will lead system architecture, integrating avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads and mission systems on the next gen UAS program.

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 requirements, decompose them into subsystems and maintain traceability.
• Work with autonomy and software teams to integrate AI-driven flight control and mission execution.
• Create digital system models using MBSE tools such as SysML or DOORS.
• Conduct trade studies to evaluate design alternatives and assess technical risks.
• Work with DoD stakeholders, industry partners and government agencies on operational requirements.
• Partner with hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion and flight operations teams on integration.

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 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 complete complex projects.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile environment with shifting priorities.
• Worked 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 with defense primes, DoD stakeholders or government R&D programs.
• Active Secret clearance, or ability to obtain one.

Benefits

• Bonus.
• Benefits.
• Equity (full-time regular employees).
• Temporary benefits package (applies after 60 days of employment for temporary employees).

Before you apply

• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.
• Active Secret clearance is preferred, or the ability to obtain one.

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.