Chief Systems Architect

AIRO Group Holdings, Inc. • Phoenix, AZ

7d • Onsite

About The Position

As the Chief Systems Architect, you will serve as the hands-on engineering leader driving technical execution across AIRO’s high-growth drone business. You will own the system design and build the engineering infrastructure needed to turn complex requirements into field-ready tactical and commercial platforms. From architecting Modular Open Systems Architectures (MOSA) to locking down baseline APIs, you will translate strategic goals into production-grade hardware and software realities.

You will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through the entire lifecycle—rigorously designing, testing, and deploying next-generation autonomous systems. Your day-to-day focus will center on aggressive platform SWaP-C optimization, integrating advanced autonomy algorithms, and enforcing standard engineering practices that accelerate flight-readiness. If you thrive on solving complex integration bottlenecks, working directly with hardware and code, and rapidly fielding mission-critical uncrewed systems, this role delivers immediate impact.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive systems engineering and architecture experience within aerospace, defense, or autonomous robotics platforms.
• Proven track record leading system-level architecture, payload integration, and SWaP-C trade studies for unmanned aircraft systems (Group 1-3+ UAS, eVTOL, or fixed-wing drones).
• Deep domain expertise in MOSA, NDAA compliance, open architecture communication buses, and strict ICD compliance.
• Hands-on proficiency with MBSE and modeling toolsets (Cameo, MATLAB / Simulink, etc…) combined with Jira and Confluence governance.
• Demonstrated leadership in setting technical standards, and coordinating cross-functional disciplines (embedded systems, GCS, autonomy, RF, and mechanical design).
• Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

• 10+ years’ experience in as a Chief System Architect or Chief Engineer.
• Direct experience with autonomous drone software stacks, edge AI compute (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson), Software Defined Radios (SDR), or RF/electronic payloads.
• Familiarity with military/commercial UAS standards (e.g., STANAG 4586, DO-178C/DO-254, FAA Part 107/BVLoS airworthiness requirements).
• Experience working in an iterative or Agile delivery environment, ideally including exposure to DevOps based build-it, run-it teams.
• Proven leadership experience in leading technical engineering teams, preferably with a track record of successfully delivering complex architecture projects.
• Experience influencing technical strategy and leading execution of cross-functional initiatives

Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief engineering authority across drone programs, defining system boundaries, flight-critical architectures, and standard APIs.
• Architect open, extensible hardware and software baselines, governing Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and ensuring strict NDAA compliance.
• Architect end-to-end UAV platforms, driving the design and integration of flight-critical avionics, propulsion, mission payloads, power systems, and onboard compute.
• Lead multidisciplinary trade studies to optimize Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) across compute, payloads, and power subsystems.
• Implement end-to-end MBSE workflows (Cameo, Jama, MATLAB/Simulink) for requirement verification, behavioral modeling, and ICD tracing.
• Act as the primary technical interface for government and commercial customers, translating complex architectures into high-impact proposals and program reviews.
• Drive platforms through major defense and commercial milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) to deliver validated, field-ready autonomous systems.
• Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies, applying onboard AI/ML and edge computing to enhance autonomous mission performance.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Commuter Benefits
• Basic Life Insurance – fully paid by the company for employees and their dependents
• Long-Term Disability Insurance – fully paid by the company
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance options

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior