Senior Staff Engineer, Avionics Systems (R6238)

Shield AI•San Diego, CA

22d•$170,000 - $310,000

About The Position

As a Staff Systems Engineer on Shield AI’s next-generation UAS program, this role leads the technical execution of the aircraft avionics architecture. The engineer designs and integrates flight computers, navigation, communications, sensor payloads, and mission systems with autonomy and propulsion, working across hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing teams to develop a scalable, mission-ready platform for contested environments. The role defines avionics requirements and architectures using model-based systems engineering (MBSE), conducts trade studies, ensures compliance with military and aviation standards, and supports the aircraft through flight testing and operational deployment. It also leads avionics system behavior, requirements and interface management, navigation and communications architecture, and integration with autonomy and other aircraft systems.

Requirements

Typically, at least 7 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree.
Demonstrated experience defining system behavior logic, operational modes, redundancy, and fault management.
Deep expertise in avionics architecture and integration, including flight computers, navigation systems, datalinks, and avionics data buses.
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 avionics integration, hardware/software integration labs, flight testing, and performance validation.
Knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, airworthiness (MIL-HDBK-516C), and avionics standards such as MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-704, MIL-STD-810, DO-178C, and DO-254.
Experience on a developmental program from clean sheet to first flight.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, agile environment with shifting priorities.
Ability to obtain an S//SAR level security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with alternative navigation, assured PNT, or GPS-denied navigation solutions.
Expertise in sensor integration for airborne platforms.
Familiarity with modular open system architectures (MOSA), Government Reference Architectures (GRA), or open standards such as SOSA and FACE.
Experience developing or integrating AI-driven autonomy for unmanned aircraft.
Prior experience working with defense primes, DoD stakeholders, or government R&D programs.
Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

Develop and refine the next-generation UAS avionics architecture, including flight and mission computers, data networks, navigation, communications, sensor payloads, and interfaces with autonomy and propulsion.
Define and document system-level behavior, including modes, states, transitions, redundancy management, and fault detection, isolation, and recovery.
Support safety analyses such as FHA, FMEA, and FTA by defining system behavior under fault conditions.
Establish top-level requirements, decompose them into avionics subsystem requirements, and own interface control documents (ICDs), maintaining traceability throughout the development lifecycle.
Define navigation architectures, including GPS/INS and alternative navigation for GPS-denied operations.
Define datalink and communications architectures to support reliable command, control, and mission data in contested environments.
Lead avionics hardware and data-bus integration, including thermal, EMI/EMC, and environmental considerations.
Work with autonomy and software teams to ensure the avionics architecture provides the compute, sensor data, and determinism required for flight control and mission execution.
Engage DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and avionics suppliers to align system capabilities with operational requirements.
Conduct trade studies, support compliance with military and aviation standards, and support flight testing and operational deployment.