Staff Systems Engineer - Autonomous UAS Architect

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to design, develop, and integrate next-gen autonomous UAS for national defense. You will lead system architecture across avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensors, and mission systems, ensuring robust performance in contested environments.

You will drive MBSE workflows using SysML/DOORS/CAMEO, conduct trade studies, and define requirements with cross-functional teams in hardware, software, and flight ops. A clearance is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree.
• 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
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

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.

Skills

System architecture

Avionics integration

Autonomy

MBSE

SysML

CAMEO

DOORS

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

DOORS

SysML

CAMEO

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to design, develop, and integrate next-gen autonomous UAS for national defense. You will lead system architecture across avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensors, and mission systems, ensuring robust performance in contested environments.

You will drive MBSE workflows using SysML/DOORS/CAMEO, conduct trade studies, and define requirements with cross-functional teams in hardware, software, and flight ops. A clearance is highly desirable.