Senior Systems Engineer (R5981)

<div><span data-contrast="auto">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&nbsp;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&nbsp;</span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://shield.ai/"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">www.shield.ai</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">. Follow Shield AI on&nbsp;</span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/shield-ai"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">LinkedIn</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">,&nbsp;</span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://x.com/shieldaitech"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">X</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">,&nbsp;</span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/shield_ai"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Instagram</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">, and&nbsp;</span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/@Shield_AI"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">YouTube</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335559685&quot;:720}">&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><strong style="font-size: 18px;">Job Description:</strong></div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px;">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.</span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px;">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.</span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px;">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.</span></div><h3>What You'll Do:</h3> <li>Perform System Architecture &amp; Design: Develop and refine the system architecture for the next gen UAS, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission systems.</li> <li>Define and document <strong>system-level behavior</strong>, including modes, states, transitions, and fault responses</li> <li>Support safety analyses (FHA, FMEA, FTA) by defining behavior under fault conditions</li> <li>Define and Manage System Requirements: Establish top-level requirements, decompose them into subsystems, and maintain traceability across the development lifecycle.</li> <li>Autonomy &amp; AI Integration: Work closely with autonomy and software teams to integrate AI-driven flight control, decision-making, and mission execution capabilities.</li> <li>Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Utilize SysML, DOORS, or other MBSE tools to create digital system models, conduct trade studies, and optimize system performance.</li> <li>Risk Management &amp; Trade Studies: Conduct trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess technical risks, and ensure the best engineering solutions for mission effectiveness.</li> <li>Stakeholder &amp; Customer Engagement: Work closely with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to align system capabilities with operational requirements.</li> <li>Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion, and flight operations teams to drive seamless system integration and rapid development cycles.</li> <h3>Required Qualifications:</h3> <li>5+ years of experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or autonomous aircraft systems.</li> <li>Demonstrated experience defining system behavior logic and operational modes</li> <li>Deep expertise in system architecture, avionics integration, and autonomy-driven flight systems.</li> <li>Proficiency in MBSE, DOORS, SysML, CAMEO, or similar system modeling tools for complex systems design and analysis.</li> <li>Experience with Group 4 or Group 5 UAS, military aircraft, or autonomous airborne platforms.</li> <li>Strong background in flight testing, system integration, and performance validation.</li> <li>Knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, MIL-STDs, FAA airworthiness certification, and airborne system safety standards.</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive complex projects to successful completion.</li> <li>Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile development environment with shifting priorities.</li> <li>Worked on developmental program from clean sheet to first flight</li> <li><span data-teams="true">Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.</span></li> <h3>Preferred Qualifications:</h3> <li>Experience developing AI-driven autonomy for unmanned aircraft.</li> <li>Expertise in ISR, EW, and advanced sensor integration for airborne platforms.</li> <li>Familiarity with modular open system architectures (MOSA) and Government Reference Architectures (GRA) for defense applications.</li> <li>Prior experience working with defense primes, DoD stakeholders, or government R&amp;D programs.</li> <li>Active Secret or Top Secret clearance (or ability to obtain one).</li>