System Engineer

LIFT Airborne Technologies; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Lift Airborne Technologies, LLC is seeking a highly experienced System Engineer to lead the architecture, integration, and delivery of complex products in a fast-paced startup environment. This role requires a strategic thinker who can drive clarity from ambiguity and translate concepts into scalable, production-ready solutions.

You will shape our product, processes, and engineering culture while collaborating with leadership, customers, and partners to bring innovative systems to market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related field).
• 8+ years of experience in systems engineering or complex product development.
• Proven experience leading system architecture and integration efforts.
• Strong background in requirements development, system decomposition, and interface management.

Responsibilities

• Own system architecture from concept through production and deployment.
• Define, decompose, and manage system requirements in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Lead cross-functional integration across mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams.
• Drive system-level trade studies and make high-impact technical decisions with incomplete data.
• Establish and implement systems engineering processes appropriate for a startup (lightweight, scalable).
• Lead system verification & validation strategy, including test planning and execution.
• Identify technical risks early and drive mitigation strategies.
• Support rapid prototyping, iteration, and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) efforts.
• Support Drawing Release, Configuration Management, and Revision Control through QMS & Solidworks PDM.
• Support Manufacturing Readiness and Production Readiness Reviews (MRR/PRR).
• Interface directly with leadership, customers, and external partners.

Skills

8+ years systems engineering

Requirements development

Interface management

Ambiguity tolerance

Communication with stakeholders

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related field)

Tools

Solidworks

PDM

Job description

Lift Airborne Technologies, LLC is looking for a highly experienced and hands-on System Engineer to lead the architecture, integration, and delivery of complex products in a fast-paced startup environment. This role requires a strategic thinker who can operate at both the system level and in the details—driving clarity from ambiguity and turning concepts into scalable, production-ready solutions.

You will play a critical role in shaping our product, processes, and engineering culture while working cross-functionally to bring innovative systems to market.

Key Responsibilities

• Own system architecture from concept through production and deployment
• Define, decompose, and manage system requirements in a rapidly evolving environment
• Lead cross-functional integration across mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams
• Drive system-level trade studies and make high-impact technical decisions with incomplete data
• Establish and implement systems engineering processes appropriate for a startup (lightweight, scalable)
• Lead system verification & validation strategy, including test planning and execution
• Identify technical risks early and drive mitigation strategies
• Support rapid prototyping, iteration, and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) efforts
• Support Drawing Release, Configuration Management, and Revision Control through QMS & Solidworks PDM
• Support Manufacturing Readiness and Production Readiness Reviews (MRR/PRR)
• Interface directly with leadership, customers, and external partners

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related field)
• 8+ years of experience in systems engineering or complex product development
• Proven experience leading system architecture and integration efforts
• Strong background in requirements development, system decomposition, and interface management
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Startup or early-stage company experience
• Experience taking a product from concept to production
• Experience with Defense Contracts
• Familiarity with Solidworks and PDM
• Experience working with ISO9001:2015 and AS6500
• Experience in hardware-centric systems (e.g., defense, aerospace, robotics, wearable tech)
• Knowledge of design for manufacturability (DFM) and production or capacity scaling
• Experience implementing or improving engineering processes (not just following them)

Key Traits for Success

• Ownership mentality—you take responsibility and drive outcomes
• Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change
• Bias toward action and iteration over perfection
• Strong systems thinker with attention to detail
• Collaborative leader who can influence without authority
• Fast-paced, high-growth startup environment
• High visibility and direct impact on product and company success
• Close collaboration with founders and leadership team
• Hands-on involvement in prototyping, testing, and early production

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to shape a product from the ground up
• Work on cutting-edge technology with real-world impact
• Be a key contributor in building engineering culture and processes
• High growth potential as the company scales