Senior Staff Engineer, Avionics Systems (R6238)

Shield AI•Washington, DC

22d•$170,000 - $310,000

About The Position

Shield AI is hiring a Senior Staff Engineer, Avionics Systems for its next-generation UAS program. The role leads the technical execution of the air vehicle avionics architecture, integrating flight computers, navigation, communications, sensor payloads, and mission systems with autonomy and propulsion. The engineer works across hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing to develop a scalable, mission-ready platform for contested environments. The position defines avionics requirements and architectures using model-based systems engineering, conducts trade studies, ensures compliance with military and aviation standards, and supports the aircraft through flight testing and operational deployment. It also involves defining system behavior and safety responses, managing requirements and interfaces, integrating avionics hardware and data buses, and engaging DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and avionics suppliers.

Requirements

Typically requires 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.
Establish top-level requirements, decompose them into avionics subsystem requirements, and own interface control documents while maintaining traceability across the development lifecycle.
Define navigation architectures, including GPS/INS and alternatives for GPS-denied operations, as well as datalink and communications architectures for reliable command, control, and mission data in contested environments.
Lead avionics hardware and data-bus integration, including consideration of thermal, EMI/EMC, and environmental requirements.
Coordinate with autonomy and software teams to ensure the avionics architecture provides the computing, 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.
Run trade studies, support compliance with military and aviation standards, and support the aircraft through flight testing and operational deployment.