Senior Staff Engineer, LRV Systems (R6242)

Shield AI • San Diego, CA

23d

About The Position

Shield AI is hiring a Senior Staff Engineer, LRV Systems, for its next-generation UAS program. The role centers on designing, developing, and integrating the Launch & Recovery Vehicle (LRV), which transports, deploys, launches, and recovers autonomous aircraft in varied environments. The engineer will lead technical execution of the system architecture and integrate avionics, hydraulics, electrical power distribution, navigation, and the mechanical, electrical, and data interfaces to the aircraft. They will collaborate with propulsion, hardware, software, flight operations, and manufacturing teams to deliver a mobile, mission-ready LRV as part of the full UAS platform.

The position also shapes how the LRV is transported, emplaced, and operated in the field. This includes developing concepts of operations (CONOPs) that define deployment timelines, crew roles, logistics footprint, and field survivability. The role supports system integration, ground testing, verification, combined LRV-aircraft flight testing, and operational deployment, while aligning system capabilities with DoD stakeholders, end users, and industry partners.

Requirements

• Typically requires at least 7 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree.
• Demonstrated experience defining system architecture, behavior logic, and operational modes for complex electromechanical systems.
• Experience integrating avionics, hydraulic systems, electrical power distribution, and navigation on vehicles, launch and recovery systems, or ground support equipment.
• Proficiency with MBSE tools such as SysML, Cameo, DOORS, or similar.
• Experience developing or applying CONOPs, including transportability, deployment, and field operations considerations.
• Strong background in system integration, test, and performance validation, ideally on a program taken from clean sheet to first operation.
• Knowledge of DoD acquisition processes and relevant standards, such as MIL-STD-882, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-1366, and MIL-STD-1472.
• 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 launch and recovery systems for Group 4 or Group 5 UAS, catapult or rail launchers, or military tactical vehicles.
• Experience with expeditionary or distributed operations concepts and their logistics and sustainment needs.
• Familiarity with modular open system architectures (MOSA) and Government Reference Architectures (GRA).
• Prior experience working with defense primes, DoD stakeholders, or government R&D programs.
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine the LRV system architecture, integrating avionics, hydraulics, electrical power distribution, navigation, and launch and recovery mechanisms.
• Define and document LRV modes, states, transitions, and fault responses for transport, emplacement, launch, recovery, and stow.
• Support safety analyses, including FHA, FMEA, and FTA, by defining system behavior under fault conditions.
• Establish top-level LRV requirements, decompose them into subsystem requirements, and maintain requirements traceability throughout development.
• Develop transportation and deployment CONOPs covering road, air, and ship transportability, rapid relocation, crew workload, and sustainment; translate operational needs into system requirements.
• Conduct trade studies, evaluate design alternatives, assess technical risks, and select engineering solutions that support mission effectiveness.
• Support LRV integration, ground testing, verification, combined LRV and aircraft testing, flight test, and operational deployment.
• Engage DoD stakeholders, end users, and industry partners to align LRV capabilities and CONOPs with operational requirements.
• Collaborate with air vehicle propulsion, hardware, software, flight operations, and manufacturing teams.
• Help shape how the LRV is transported, emplaced, and operated in the field.

Benefits

• Bonus and benefits are included in the full-time regular employee offer package.
• Equity is included in the full-time regular employee offer package.
• Temporary employees receive a temporary benefits package applicable after 60 days of employment.

What This Job Offers

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