As a Senior Staff 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.
\nThis 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.
\nKey responsibilities include:
\nPerforming system architecture & design: Developing and refining the system architecture for the next gen UAS, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission systems.
\nDefining and documenting system-level behavior, including modes, states, transitions, and fault responses.
\nSupporting safety analyses (FHA, FMEA, FTA) by defining behavior under fault conditions.
\nDefining and managing system requirements: Establishing top-level requirements, decomposing them into subsystems, and maintaining traceability across the development lifecycle.
\nAutonomy & AI integration: Working closely with autonomy and software teams to integrate AI-driven flight control, decision-making, and mission execution capabilities.
\nModel-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Utilizing SysML, DOORS, or other MBSE tools to create digital system models, conduct trade studies, and optimize system performance.
\nRisk management & trade studies: Conducting trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess technical risks, and ensure the best engineering solutions for mission effectiveness.
\nStakeholder & customer engagement: Working closely with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to align system capabilities with operational requirements.
\nCross-functional collaboration: Partnering with hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion, and flight operations teams to drive seamless system integration and rapid development cycles.
\nRequired qualifications include:
\n10+ years of experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or autonomous aircraft systems.
\nDemonstrated experience defining system behavior logic and operational modes.
\nDeep expertise in system architecture, avionics integration, and autonomy-driven flight systems.
\nProficiency in MBSE, DOORS, SysML, CAMEO, or similar system modeling tools for complex systems design and analysis.
\nExperience with Group 4 or Group 5 UAS, military aircraft, or autonomous airborne platforms.
\nStrong background in flight testing, system integration, and performance validation.
\nKnowledge of DoD acquisition processes, MIL-STDs, FAA airworthiness certification, and airborne system safety standards.
\nDemonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive complex projects to successful completion.
\nPreferred qualifications include:
\nExperience developing AI-driven autonomy for unmanned aircraft.
\nExpertise in ISR, EW, and advanced sensor integration for airborne platforms.
\nFamiliarity with modular open system architectures (MOSA) and Government Reference Architectures (GRA) for defense applications.
\nPrior experience working with defense primes, DoD stakeholders, or government R&D programs.
\nActive Secret or Top Secret clearance (or ability to obtain one).
\nSalary: $180,000 - $270,000 a year
\nXML job scraping automation by YubHub
","url":"https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_86c59a9d-6da","directApply":true,"hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Shield AI","sameAs":"https://www.shield.ai","logo":"https://logos.yubhub.co/shield.ai.png"},"x-apply-url":"https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/0a7f0460-5035-4959-9713-80471fcae3c1","x-work-arrangement":"onsite","x-experience-level":"senior","x-job-type":"full-time","x-salary-range":"$180,000 - $270,000 a year","x-skills-required":["Systems engineering","Aerospace systems engineering","Autonomy","Complex system integration","Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)","DOORS","SysML","CAMEO","Group 4 or Group 5 UAS","Military aircraft","Autonomous airborne platforms","Flight testing","System integration","Performance validation","DoD acquisition processes","MIL-STDs","FAA airworthiness certification","Airborne system safety standards"],"x-skills-preferred":["AI-driven autonomy","ISR","EW","Advanced sensor integration","Modular open system architectures (MOSA)","Government Reference Architectures (GRA)"],"datePosted":"2026-04-17T13:06:30.681Z","jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"San Diego, California / Boston, MA / United States / Dallas, Texas"}},"employmentType":"FULL_TIME","occupationalCategory":"Engineering","industry":"Technology","skills":"Systems engineering, Aerospace systems engineering, Autonomy, Complex system integration, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), DOORS, SysML, CAMEO, Group 4 or Group 5 UAS, Military aircraft, Autonomous airborne platforms, Flight testing, System integration, Performance validation, DoD acquisition processes, MIL-STDs, FAA airworthiness certification, Airborne system safety standards, AI-driven autonomy, ISR, EW, Advanced sensor integration, Modular open system architectures (MOSA), Government Reference Architectures (GRA)","baseSalary":{"@type":"MonetaryAmount","currency":"USD","value":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":180000,"maxValue":270000,"unitText":"YEAR"}}}]}