Lead architecture, requirements, systems integration, and flight testing for next-generation autonomous UAS platforms. Define system behavior, modes, fault responses, and subsystem requirements; use MBSE tools for modeling and trade studies; integrate avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensors, and mission systems; support safety analysis, performance validation, airworthiness, and operational deployment. Collaborate with engineering teams, DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to deliver mission-ready aircraft.
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.
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.
What You'll Bring
- 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
- 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 clearance (or ability to obtain one).
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
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 to equal 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.
Shield AI Waltham, Massachusetts, USA Office
500 Totten Pond Road, Waltham, MA, United States, 02451
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Leads the Guidance and Control team for an autonomous fixed-wing aircraft, owning technical direction, staffing, roadmaps, architecture, simulation, verification, integration, and flight-test readiness. Designs control laws, guidance systems, flight-mode logic, 6DOF simulations, and autonomy interfaces. Oversees requirements-based verification, risk mitigation, cross-disciplinary engineering trades, and analysis of ground and flight-test data. Requires deep flight-controls expertise, C++ proficiency, and experience leading complex aircraft development through integration and flight testing.
Top Skills:
C++Ci/CdGitLinuxMatlabNpssPython
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Designs and releases propulsion components and assemblies for UAV internal combustion and jet systems. Leads Siemens NX CAD modeling, detailed drawings, GD&T, design standards, manufacturability, configuration control, BOM management, and work instructions. Collaborates with production, machinists, technicians, and responsible engineers to resolve hardware issues, support testing, investigate root causes, and implement design improvements. Applies engineering analysis and tools such as ANSYS, FEA, GFSSP, and REFPROP.
Top Skills:
AnsysBomCadFeaGd&TGfsspPlmPythonRefpropSiemens NxTeamcenter
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Owns logistics planning, supply support, supportability analysis, maintenance planning, provisioning, spares forecasting, and lifecycle sustainment for autonomous aircraft systems. Performs Maintenance Task Analysis, Logistics Control Number development, Reliability and Maintainability analysis, Level of Repair Analysis support, inventory planning, and repair pipeline tracking. Coordinates with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, suppliers, and field operations to ensure parts and support resources are available throughout development, production, deployment, and operational sustainment.
Top Skills:
CasaCompassEagleGeia-Std-0007Mil-Hdbk-502AMil-Std-1388Opus10Powerlog JSae Ta-Std-0017SlicwaveUas Logistics Systems
What you need to know about the Boston Tech Scene
Boston is a powerhouse for technology innovation thanks to world-class research universities like MIT and Harvard and a robust pipeline of venture capital investment. Host to the first telephone call and one of the first general-purpose computers ever put into use, Boston is now a hub for biotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence — though it’s also home to several B2B software giants. So it’s no surprise that the city consistently ranks among the greatest startup ecosystems in the world.
Key Facts About Boston Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 269,000; 9.4% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toast, Klaviyo, HubSpot, DraftKings
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, software, aerospace
- Funding Landscape: $15.7 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Summit Partners, Volition Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, MassVentures, Highland Capital Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: MIT, Harvard University, Boston College, Tufts University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, National Bureau of Economic Research, Broad Institute, Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories
