Aerospace Systems Engineer

Grid Aero•San Leandro, CA

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

Grid.aero is building the next generation of autonomous aviation systems for defense and commercial applications. Led by experienced aerospace and technology operators and backed by leading venture investors, we solve hard operational problems at the intersection of autonomy, resilient logistics, and scalable air mobility. We move quickly, operate with urgency, and build systems designed for real-world deployment where small teams own meaningful problems end-to-end. The people who thrive at Grid operate with urgency, learn quickly, adapt fast, and are energized by hard problems with no obvious answers. We value individuals who continuously push themselves and the team around them to improve. This is an opportunity to work on products with national and global impact alongside a collaborative team that values technical excellence, execution, and mission focus.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in aircraft systems engineering, avionics integration, or system architecture development
Experience developing top-level aircraft and subsystem requirements and managing requirements traceability
Familiarity with airworthiness and certification frameworks for fixed-wing aircraft (e.g., Part 23/25, experimental, or military standards)
Experience performing system safety activities such as hazard analysis, functional hazard assessment, or safety assessments
Experience defining system, software, and hardware architectures for safety-critical aerospace systems
Familiarity with avionics hardware selection, integration, and verification for flight vehicles
Experience working cross-functionally with hardware, software, and GNC teams in an aircraft development environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work directly with regulators and external stakeholders
Candidates must be U.S. persons (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with EWIS design, wiring architecture, and component-level testing preferred
Familiarity with DO-178, DO-254, ARP4754, or MIL-HDBK-516 standards preferred

Responsibilities

Define and own the aircraft’s top-level system architecture, spanning avionics, software, and electronic hardware
Identify and interpret applicable airworthiness and certification standards, and lead engagement with regulatory authorities to secure flight approvals
Translate customer needs and regulatory constraints into clear, actionable aircraft- and subsystem-level requirements
Establish and maintain requirements development, traceability, and change-management processes across the program
Lead system safety activities, including hazard analysis and safety assessments, to ensure safe flight and operational compliance
Develop system, software, and hardware architectures that meet performance, reliability, and safety objectives
Own the aircraft’s electronic hardware domain, working closely with hardware, software, and GNC teams on component selection and integration
Support EWIS development, including wiring architecture, hardware layout reviews, and component-level testing and validation