Staff Systems Engineer (R5982)

Shieldai; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Staff Systems Engineer to design, develop, and integrate autonomous aircraft systems for a next-gen UAS program. You will lead system architecture, ensure seamless avionics and autonomy integration, and guide cross-functional teams through MBSE workflows and model-based analyses.

You will work closely with DoD stakeholders, perform trade studies, and support flight testing and certification efforts to deliver a scalable, mission-ready platform.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of systems engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or autonomous aircraft.
• Defined system behavior logic and operational modes.
• Deep expertise in system architecture and avionics integration.
• Proficiency with MBSE tools and modeling languages (SysML).
• Experience with Group 4/5 UAS or military aircraft.
• Knowledge of DoD acquisition, MIL-STDs, and airworthiness standards.
• Ability to obtain/hold DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead system architecture for next-gen UAS, integrating avionics, autonomy, propulsion, and payloads.
• Define system requirements, maintain traceability across the lifecycle.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing.
• Perform MBSE activities, conduct trade studies, and MBSE modeling.
• Support safety analyses (FHA, FMEA, FTA) and flight testing.
• Engage with DoD stakeholders and government partners.

Skills

Aerospace systems engineering

System architecture

MBSE

SysML

DOORS

CAMEO

Autonomy/AI integration

Flight testing

DoD knowledge

Security clearance (S//SAR)

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Sensor payload integration

Defense programs

Tools

SysML

DOORS

SysML/CAMEO modeling tools

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-BAT aircraft, 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.

Job Description:

As a Staff 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.

• 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.
• 8+ 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
• 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 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 or Top 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.