Senior Systems Engineer (R6455)

Speedrun Talent Network; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer for its next generation UAS program to design, develop, and integrate autonomous aircraft systems for national defense. You will lead system architecture and ensure seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensors, and mission systems.

The role requires MBSE experience, DoD MIL-STDs familiarity, flight testing, and collaboration across hardware, software, autonomy, and manufacturing teams to deliver a scalable, mission-ready platform.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of systems engineering experience 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, DOORS, SysML, CAMEO or similar modeling tools.
• Experience with Group 4/5 UAS or military aircraft, or autonomous airborne platforms.
• Strong background in 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 in a fast-paced, agile environment; experience from clean sheet to first flight.

Responsibilities

• Perform System Architecture & Design for the next gen UAS, ensuring integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission systems.
• 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 system requirements, decompose into subsystems, and maintain traceability.
• Autonomy & AI integration: collaborate with autonomy and software teams for AI-driven flight control and mission execution.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): use SysML/DOORS/CAMEO to create digital models, conduct trade studies, optimize performance.
• Conduct risk management and trade studies to select optimal design solutions.
• Engage with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to align capabilities with requirements.
• Cross-functional collaboration with hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion, and flight operations teams.

Skills

Systems engineering

MBSE

SysML

CAMEO

DOORS

Avionics integration

Autonomy

Flight testing

DoD processes

DoD MIL-STDs

Clearance awareness

Tools

DOORS

SysML

CAMEO

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BATaircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

As a Senior Systems Engineer on Shield AI’s next gen UAS program, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and integrating cutting-edge autonomous aircraft systems for national defense. You will lead the technical execution of system architecture, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission-critical systems.

This position requires a deep understanding of aerospace systems engineering, autonomy, and complex system integration. You will work cross-functionally with teams in hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing to develop a scalable, mission-ready platform capable of operating in contested environments.

Your expertise will be critical in defining system requirements and architectures through model-based systems engineering, conducting trade studies, ensuring compliance with military and aviation standards, and supporting the aircraft through flight testing and operational deployment.

What You'll Do

• Perform System Architecture & Design: Develop and refine the system architecture for the next gen UAS, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, 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: Establish top-level requirements, decompose them into subsystems, and maintain 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.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (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, assess technical risks, and ensure the best engineering solutions for mission effectiveness.
• Stakeholder & Customer Engagement: Work closely with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to align system capabilities with operational requirements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion, and flight operations teams to drive seamless system integration and rapid development cycles.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or autonomous aircraft systems.
• Demonstrated 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 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 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.
• Worked on developmental program from clean sheet to first flight

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing AI-driven autonomy for unmanned aircraft.
• Expertise in ISR, EW, and advanced sensor integration for airborne platforms.
• Familiarity with modular open system architectures (MOSA) and Government Reference Architectures (GRA) for defense applications.
• Prior experience working with defense primes, DoD stakeholders, or government R&D programs.
• Active Secret clearance (or ability to obtain one).

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.