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Shield AI

Posted 7 days ago

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Senior Systems Engineer (R5981)

United StatesOn-site

AI Summary

Leads system architecture and integration for next-gen autonomous UAS, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, and sensor payloads across cross-functional teams.

About this role

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 Senior 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.

What You'll Do:

  • 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.

    • Required Qualifications:

  • 5+ 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.

    • Preferred Qualifications:

  • 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).

    • Skills

    Autonomous Flight SystemsAvionics IntegrationCameoDOORSEWFAA AirworthinessFHAFMEAFTAGRAISRMBSEMIL-STDsMOSASensor IntegrationS//SAR ClearanceSysMLUAS

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