Senior Systems Engineer, UAV Open Architecture

World View; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Ondas Sentinel, an Ondas company, is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer for UAV Open Architecture in Irvine, CA. You will lead multidisciplinary systems engineering across design, integration, and test to deliver mission-critical capabilities for long-endurance ISR UAS platforms.

Required: 10+ years in aerospace or defense environments, MOSA familiarity, and strong systems engineering fundamentals. Travel is less than 10%. On-site role with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace engineering.
• Master's degree in engineering preferred; additional years of experience may be considered.
• Experience in aerospace/defense environments and MOSA concepts is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities for UAV Open Architecture programs.
• Interface with mechanical, electrical, software, and test teams to ensure delivery of capabilities.
• Translate mission needs into clear system requirements and interfaces.
• Define and manage system requirements from concept through flight test.
• Coordinate validation activities and environmental testing.
• Maintain documentation to support safety, performance, and reliability.

Skills

Systems engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Requirements translation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

DOORS

SysML

MBSE

Job description

$140,000 - $200,000 a year

Senior Systems Engineer, UAV Open Architecture

Irvine, CA Salary: On-site Full-time

Company Overview

Ondas Sentinel, an Ondas company, delivers multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions across air, land, sea, space, and the stratosphere. Built on a combined legacy of pioneering stratospheric platforms and proven unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), we provide mission-tailored capabilities that help customers collect, connect, and act on critical information.

By integrating autonomous aircraft, high-altitude platforms, satellites, terrestrial sensors, and AI-powered analytics, Ondas Sentinel transforms data from multiple sources into a unified operating picture. The result is actionable intelligence that enables defense, government, and commercial customers to make faster, more informed decisions in dynamic and contested environments.

Role Overview

As a Senior Systems Engineer, UAV Open Architecture, you will lead the systems engineering activities for Long Endurance ISR UAS Platform(s). This role will interface closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and test teams to ensure timely and effective delivery of mission-critical capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the development of requirements and systems architecture that adhere to applicable government open and common architecture standards
• Translate mission needs and technical objectives into clear, actionable system requirements
• Define and manage system requirements and interfaces from early concept through integration and flight test
• Lead the planning and coordination of system validation activities, ensuring alignment with design and operational goals
• Execute system-level validation, including environmental testing, to ensure real-world readiness
• Partner with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, integration, and test functions to ensure seamless system development
• Lead failure modes, reliability analysis, and risk management efforts across the development lifecycle
• Contribute to system reviews and documentation to support safety, performance, and reliability
• Travel Required: Less Than 10%

Qualifications

• Bachelors of Engineering in Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace degree preferred
• 10+ years relevant experience in aerospace, defense or government contracting environments
• Basic understanding of modular open systems approaches (MOSA) in defense systems
• Experience in Aircraft / UAV development programs as Systems Engineer
• Familiarity with one or more Government Reference Architectures (GRAs) such as AMS GRA, A-GRA, or OMS/UCI
• A strong foundation in Systems Engineering principles, especially as applied to complex, multidisciplinary systems
• Experience in creating and validating environmental requirements (e.g., temperature, vibration, altitude)
• Familiarity with the full system development lifecycle, from concept and design through test and delivery
• Excellent communication and documentation skills, especially in collaborative, cross-functional environments

Preferred

• Masters degree in engineering discipline + 5 years experience preferred
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles and their application in GRAs
• Knowledge of FACE (Future Airborne Capability Environment) Technical Standard
• Understanding of SOSA (Sensor Open Systems Architecture) systems
• Experience in aerospace, defense, robotics, or autonomous systems
• Knowledge of systems engineering tools and standards (e.g., DOORS, SysML, MBSE approaches)
• Knowledge of military standards for environmental testing (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, etc.)
• Background working on rapid development programs or prototyping efforts

Working Conditions

The diversity of work conditions may range from an environment where there is little or no physical discomfort, such as general office environment or warehouse, to field testing environments.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to work in a standard office environment, using computer and other office equipment.
• Capability to travel to field sites, including manufacturing facilities, test sites, or operational environments.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. occasionally for handling technical equipment or documentation.

Work Authorization Requirement

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employment visa sponsorship.

Benefits

Our benefits areOndas Sentinel’edfor your overall health and financial wellness. Ondas Sentinel offers a comprehensive healthcare benefits package. Base dental, vision, life, accident, disability, and other core benefits are fully covered by Ondas Sentinel. Ondas Sentinel provides paid time off and paid holidays. Additionally, Ondas Sentinel offers a 401 (k) plan with an employer match and immediate vesting.

Ondas Sentinel Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, Ondas Sentinel Technologies complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which our company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.