Senior Avionics Systems Architect – UAS Autonomy

Shield AI Inc; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 310,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI Inc. seeks a Staff Systems Engineer for the next‑gen UAS program to design, develop, and integrate advanced autonomous aircraft systems.

You will lead the avionics architecture, integrating flight computers, navigation, data networks, sensor payloads, and propulsion with autonomy. You will work with hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing teams to create a scalable, mission-ready platform for contested environments.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated experience defining system behavior logic, operational modes, and redundancy and fault management
• Deep expertise in avionics architecture and integration, including flight computers, navigation systems, datalinks, and avionics data buses
• Proficiency in MBSE, DOORS, SysML, Cameo, or similar system modeling tools for complex systems design and analysis
• Experience with Group 4 or Group 5 UAS, military aircraft, or autonomous airborne platforms
• Strong background in avionics integration, hardware/software integration labs, flight testing, and performance validation
• Knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, airworthiness (MIL-HDBK-516C), and avionics standards (e.g., MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-704, MIL-STD-810, DO-178C, DO-254)
• Experience on a developmental program from clean sheet to first flight
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, agile environment with shifting priorities
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance

Responsibilities

• System Architecture & Design: Develop and refine the avionics architecture for the next gen UAS, covering flight and mission computers, data networks, navigation, communications, sensor payloads, and their interfaces with autonomy and propulsion.
• System Behavior & Safety: Define and document system-level behavior, including modes, states, transitions, redundancy management, and fault detection, isolation, and recovery. Support safety analyses (FHA, FMEA, FTA) by defining behavior under fault conditions.
• Requirements & Interface Management: Establish top-level requirements, break them down into avionics subsystem requirements, and own the interface control documents (ICDs), keeping them traceable across the development lifecycle.
• Navigation & Communications: Define navigation architectures, including GPS/INS and alternative navigation for GPS-denied operations. Also define datalink and communications architectures that keep command, control, and mission data reliable in contested environments.
• Avionics Integration: Lead integration of avionics hardware and data buses (e.g., Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, CAN), thermal, EMI/EMC, and environmental considerations.
• Autonomy Integration: Work with the autonomy and software teams to make sure the avionics architecture provides the compute, sensor data, and determinism that flight control and mission execution need.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and avionics suppliers to align system capabilities with operational requirements.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MBSE

DOORS

SysML

Cameo

Job description

Shield AI Inc. seeks a Staff Systems Engineer for the next‑gen UAS program to design, develop, and integrate advanced autonomous aircraft systems.

You will lead the avionics architecture, integrating flight computers, navigation, data networks, sensor payloads, and propulsion with autonomy. You will work with hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing teams to create a scalable, mission-ready platform for contested environments.