Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit
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Job Description:
As a Staff Systems Engineer on Shield AI's next gen UAS program, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and integrating the Launch & Recovery Vehicle (LRV), the system that transports, deploys, launches, and recovers our autonomous aircraft in a variety of environments. You will lead the technical execution of system architecture, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, hydraulics, electrical power distribution, navigation, and the mechanical, electrical, and data interfaces to the aircraft.
You will work with the air vehicle’s propulsion, hardware, software, flight operations, and manufacturing teams to deliver a mobile, mission-ready LRV that works as part of the full UAS platform. You will also help shape how the system is transported, emplaced, and operated in the field. That means developing CONOPs that set deployment timelines, crew roles, logistics footprint, and how the system survives in the field.
Required qualifications:
- System Architecture & Design: Develop and refine the LRV architecture, integrating avionics, hydraulics, electrical power distribution, navigation, and launch and recovery mechanisms into one vehicle that works reliably.
- System Behavior & Safety: Define and document LRV modes, states, transitions, and fault responses for transport, emplacement, launch, recovery, and stow. Support safety analyses (FHA, FMEA, FTA) by defining behavior under fault conditions.
- Requirements Management: Establish top-level LRV requirements, break them down into subsystem requirements, and maintain traceability across the development lifecycle.
- CONOPs Development: Develop transportation and deployment CONOPs that cover road, air, and ship transportability, rapid relocation, crew workload, and sustainment. Turn these operational needs into system requirements.
- Trade Studies & Risk Management: Conduct trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess technical risks, and ensure the best engineering solutions for mission effectiveness.
- Integration & Test: Support LRV integration, ground testing, and verification, and support combined LRV and aircraft testing through flight test and operational deployment.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Work with DoD stakeholders, end users, and industry partners to align LRV capabilities and CONOPs with operational requirements.
Required qualifications:
- Typically requires a minimum of 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 in 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 (e.g., MIL-STD-882, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-1366, MIL-STD-1472)
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, agile environment with shifting priorities
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance
Preferred qualifications:
- 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
San Diego, CA/Washington, D.C./Dallas, TX pay range: $170,000 - $260,000
Seattle, WA pay range: $210,000 - $310,000
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.