Senior UAS Systems Engineer - Autonomy & Avionics

Shieldai; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to design, develop, and integrate autonomous aircraft systems for a next-gen UAS program. You will lead system architecture and ensure integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission systems.

The role requires aerospace systems engineering experience, MBSE proficiency, and collaboration with hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing teams to deliver a scalable, mission-ready platform for contested

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or autonomous aircraft systems.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance.
• Experience developing AI-driven autonomy for unmanned aircraft.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
• Experience developing AI-driven autonomy for unmanned aircraft.
• Expertise in ISR, EW, and advanced sensor integration for airborne platforms.
• Familiarity with MOSA and GRA defense architectures.
• Prior experience with defense primes, DoD stakeholders, or government R&D programs.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or autonomous aircraft systems.

Skills

Systems engineering

Aerospace

Defense industry experience

Team leadership

Agile development

Cross-functional collaboration

AI integration

Flight testing

Problem solving

Security mindset

Tools

MBSE

DOORS

SysML

CAMEO

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to design, develop, and integrate autonomous aircraft systems for a next-gen UAS program. You will lead system architecture and ensure integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission systems.

The role requires aerospace systems engineering experience, MBSE proficiency, and collaboration with hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing teams to deliver a scalable, mission-ready platform for contested