Senior Mission-Systems Engineer for Next-Gen UAVs

AI Chopping Block; Dallas, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in the United States is seeking a Staff Engineer for Mission Systems to lead end-to-end engineering of next-gen unmanned aircraft payloads, avionics, and weapons integration. You will shape technical directions, drive system architectures, and oversee integration from concept through flight test, ensuring safe, certifiable performance and mission capability across programs.

Strong collaboration with PM and customers is essential to meet safety, airworthiness, and certification

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering.
• 8+ years in aerospace/defense with 5+ years in mission systems integration.
• Experience with payloads, avionics, and weapons integration.
• Experience with line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight communications systems.
• Knowledge of MOSA concepts and OMS/GRA or modular avionics standards.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver fielded systems.
• Familiarity with DO-178C/DO-254 certification requirements.
• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead system architecture and requirements development for payloads, avionics, and weapons integration.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for mission systems across the aircraft program.
• Drive trade studies and system-of-systems analyses balancing performance, cost, and schedule.
• Oversee integration and test campaigns from bench-level HIL to flight test.
• Ensure compliance with MIL-HDBK-516C, DO-178C, DO-254 and related standards.
• Collaborate with program management to de-risk architectures and meet maturity gates.
• Interface with customers, partners, and suppliers to align system requirements and certifications.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Aerospace/defense experience

Requirements development

Leadership communications

Education

B.S. in Aerospace/Systems Engineering

Tools

MBSE

SysML

Job description

Shield AI in the United States is seeking a Staff Engineer for Mission Systems to lead end-to-end engineering of next-gen unmanned aircraft payloads, avionics, and weapons integration. You will shape technical directions, drive system architectures, and oversee integration from concept through flight test, ensuring safe, certifiable performance and mission capability across programs.

Strong collaboration with PM and customers is essential to meet safety, airworthiness, and certification