Senior Systems Engineer (R5981)

About the role

Shield AI is a venture‑backed defense‑tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V‑BAT and X‑BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. The Senior Systems Engineer will design, develop, and integrate cutting‑edge autonomous aircraft systems for national defense on Shield AI’s next‑gen UAS program.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine 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.
• Establish top‑level requirements, decompose them into subsystems, and maintain traceability across the development lifecycle.
• Work closely with autonomy and software teams to integrate AI‑driven flight control, decision‑making, and mission execution capabilities.
• Utilize SysML, DOORS, or other MBSE tools to create digital system models, conduct trade studies, and optimize system performance.
• Conduct trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess technical risks, and ensure optimal engineering solutions for mission effectiveness.
• Engage with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to align system capabilities with operational requirements.
• 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 tools such as DOORS, SysML, CAMEO, or similar 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.
• Experience on a 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).

Pay

$144,000 – $210,000 per year (full‑time regular employee or temporary employee). Salary compensation is influenced by skill set, experience, licenses, certifications, and work location.

Benefits

• Bonus
• Equity
• Standard employee benefits package (for regular employees)
• Temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment for temporary employees)
• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.
• Military fellows and part‑time employees are not eligible for benefits.