Staff Systems Engineer, Avionics Systems (UAS Program)

About the role

Shield AI is hiring a Staff Systems Engineer for its next-generation UAS program, working on the air vehicle avionics architecture. The role leads the integration of flight computers, navigation, communications, sensor payloads and mission systems with autonomy and propulsion, and works with hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations and manufacturing teams to deliver a scalable, mission-ready platform for contested environments.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and refine the avionics architecture, including flight and mission computers, data networks, navigation, communications, sensor payloads and their interfaces with autonomy and propulsion.
• Define system-level behavior, modes, states, transitions, redundancy and fault detection, isolation and recovery, and support safety analyses (FHA, FMEA, FTA).
• Establish top-level requirements, break them into subsystem requirements and own the interface control documents (ICDs), keeping them traceable.
• Define navigation architectures (GPS/INS and alternatives for GPS-denied operations) and datalink and communications architectures.
• Lead integration of avionics hardware and data buses (Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, CAN), thermal, EMI/EMC and environmental considerations.
• Work with autonomy and software teams so the avionics provide the compute, sensor data and determinism flight control needs.
• Engage with DoD stakeholders, industry partners and avionics suppliers.

Required profile

• Typically a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree.
• Demonstrated experience defining system behavior logic, operational modes and redundancy and fault management.
• Experience with Group 4 or Group 5 UAS, military aircraft or autonomous airborne platforms.
• Experience on a developmental program from clean sheet to first flight.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, agile environment.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance.

Required skills

• Deep expertise in avionics architecture and integration, including flight computers, navigation systems, datalinks and avionics data buses.
• MBSE proficiency with DOORS, SysML, Cameo or similar tools.
• Knowledge of DoD acquisition, airworthiness (MIL-HDBK-516C) and standards (MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-704, MIL-STD-810, DO-178C, DO-254).
• Preferred: alternative navigation, sensor integration, MOSA/GRA/SOSA/FACE, AI-driven autonomy, and defense prime or government R&D experience.