Lead Systems Engineer – Autonomous UAS

Shield AI; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of next-gen autonomous aircraft systems for national defense. You will drive system architecture, ensure seamless avionics and propulsion integration, and guide MBSE activities across hardware, software, and autonomy teams.

You will work with DoD stakeholders to align capabilities with mission needs, perform trade studies, and ensure compliance with military and aviation standards while supporting

Qualifications

• 8+ years of systems engineering experience in aerospace/defense/autonomous aircraft.
• 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 4/5 UAS or autonomous airborne platforms.
• Strong flight testing, system integration, and performance validation.
• Knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, MIL-STDs, FAA airworthiness, and safety standards.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.
• Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance (S//SAR) is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine system architecture for next-gen UAS ensuring integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, and sensors.
• Define and document system-level behavior, modes, states, transitions, and fault responses.
• Support safety analyses (FHA, FMEA, FTA) by defining behavior under fault conditions.
• Define and manage top-level system requirements and traceability across the lifecycle.
• Integrate AI-driven flight control, decision-making, and mission execution with autonomy teams.
• Use MBSE tools to create digital system models and conduct trade studies.
• Perform risk management and design trade studies to optimize mission effectiveness.
• Engage with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to align capabilities.
• Collaborate across hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion, and flight ops teams.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Aerospace/defense/autonomous aircraft

MBSE

SysML

DOORS

Tools

SysML

DOORS

CAMEO

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of next-gen autonomous aircraft systems for national defense. You will drive system architecture, ensure seamless avionics and propulsion integration, and guide MBSE activities across hardware, software, and autonomy teams.

You will work with DoD stakeholders to align capabilities with mission needs, perform trade studies, and ensure compliance with military and aviation standards while supporting