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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Staff Systems Engineer (R4738) - **Company:** Shield AI - **Location:** San Diego, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Application Integration Architecture, Systems Engineering, Digital Technology, Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Performance Tuning, Software Requirements Analysis, Systems Modeling Language, Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, Performance Testing, DOORS (Software) - **Published:** July 21, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9044677/senior-staff-systems-engineer-r4738 ## About the Role * 10+ 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. * 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). ## Description As a Senior Staff 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. * 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. ## Related Videos - [Crew Management System for Airlines: Plan duties for pilots & flight attendants worldwide](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1444-crew-management-system-for-airlines-plan-duties-for-pilots-flight-attendants-worldwide) - [Times of (climate) crisis - How and why sustainable software is a must!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/988-times-of-climate-crisis-how-and-why-sustainable-software-is-a-must) - [Opening Keynote: Civic Coding, A Framework for Democratic Tech](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/963-opening-keynote-civic-coding-a-framework-for-democratic-tech) - [Tour de Force: Open-Source LLM Inference Optimization from Simple to Sophisticated](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100099-tour-de-force-open-source-llm-inference-optimization-from-simple-to-sophisticated) - [The Software Engineer 2030: From Coder To AI Orchestrator? - Patrick Schnell](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1825-the-software-engineer-2030-from-coder-to-ai-orchestrator-patrick-schnell) - [Kettle and Pot or Peas in a Pod? A Debate on Open-Source and Proprietary Software](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1585-kettle-and-pot-or-peas-in-a-pod-a-debate-on-open-source-and-proprietary-software) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Dev Digest 134 - Where pixels sing?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/477-dev-digest-134-where-pixels-sing) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Dev Digest 132 - Binging WADFlix?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/473-dev-digest-132-binging-wadflix) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline)