Chief Systems Architect, Autonomous Drone Platforms

The AIRO Group; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Savings Account (HSA)

401(k) with company match

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Commuter Benefits

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Job summary

The AIRO Group seeks a Chief Systems Architect to lead hands-on engineering across our high-growth drone business. You will own system design, MOSA baselines, and APIs, turning complex requirements into field-ready hardware and software for UAV platforms.

Lead multidisciplinary teams through lifecycle phases, optimize SWaP-C, integrate autonomy algorithms, and enforce engineering practices that accelerate flight readiness.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive systems engineering and architecture experience within aerospace, defense, or autonomous robotics platforms.
• Proven track record leading system-level architecture, payload integration, and SWaP-C trade studies for unmanned aircraft systems (Group 1-3+ UAS, eVTOL, or fixed-wing drones).
• Deep domain expertise in MOSA, NDAA compliance, open architecture communication buses, and strict ICD compliance.
• Hands-on proficiency with MBSE and modeling toolsets (Cameo, MATLAB / Simulink) combined with Jira and Confluence governance.
• Demonstrated leadership in setting technical standards and coordinating cross-functional disciplines (embedded systems, GCS, autonomy, RF, and mechanical design).
• Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• UAS Architecture & Technical Authority: Define system boundaries, flight-critical architectures, and standard APIs across drone programs.
• MOSA: Architect open, extensible baselines, govern ICDs and ensure NDAA compliance.
• UAV System Design & Integration: Design end-to-end UAV platforms, integrating avionics, propulsion, payloads, power, and compute.
• SWaP‑C Optimization & Trade Studies: Lead trade studies to optimize size, weight, power, and cost across subsystems.
• MBSE: Implement MBSE workflows (Cameo, Jama, MATLAB/Simulink) for requirements, behavioral modeling, ICD tracing.
• Customer & Stakeholder Technical Leadership: Interface with government and commercial customers on architectures and proposals.
• Full‑Lifecycle Program Execution: Drive platforms through SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR to field-ready systems.
• Applied Innovation & AI/ML: Evaluate and integrate onboard AI/ML and edge computing for mission performance.

Skills

Senior systems architect

MBSE

MOSA

Systems engineering

Security clearance

Open architectures

Jira & Confluence

Cameo

MATLAB/Simulink

Payload integration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

Jama

Jira

Confluence

MATLAB/Simulink

Cameo

Job description

The AIRO Group seeks a Chief Systems Architect to lead hands-on engineering across our high-growth drone business. You will own system design, MOSA baselines, and APIs, turning complex requirements into field-ready hardware and software for UAV platforms.

Lead multidisciplinary teams through lifecycle phases, optimize SWaP-C, integrate autonomy algorithms, and enforce engineering practices that accelerate flight readiness.