Senior Systems Engineer - Autonomous UAS & Avionics

Shield AI; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in San Diego is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to design, develop, and integrate next-generation autonomous aircraft systems for national defense. You will lead the technical execution of system architecture, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, and sensors across the platform.

You will work cross-functionally with hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing teams to create a scalable, mission-ready system.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in aerospace, defense, or autonomous aircraft systems.
• Experience defining system behavior logic and operational modes.
• Deep expertise in system architecture, avionics integration, and autonomy-driven flight systems.
• Proficiency with MBSE tools (SysML, DOORS, CAMEO) for complex systems.
• 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 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 developmental programs from concept to first flight.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine the system architecture for the next-gen UAS, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensors, 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
• Define and manage system requirements, decomposing them into subsystems, and maintaining traceability across the development lifecycle.
• Autonomy & AI integration: Work closely with autonomy and software teams to integrate AI-driven flight control, decision-making, and mission execution capabilities.
• MBSE: Utilize SysML, DOORS, or other MBSE tools to create digital system models, conduct trade studies, and optimize system performance.
• Risk management & trade studies: Conduct trade studies to evaluate design alternatives and assess technical risks.
• Stakeholder & customer engagement: Work with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to align capabilities with requirements.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion, and flight operations teams for rapid development cycles.

Skills

Systems engineering

MBSE

SysML

Autonomy integration

Cross-functional leadership

Tools

DOORS

SysML

CAMEO

Job description

Shield AI in San Diego is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to design, develop, and integrate next-generation autonomous aircraft systems for national defense. You will lead the technical execution of system architecture, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, and sensors across the platform.

You will work cross-functionally with hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing teams to create a scalable, mission-ready system.