Senior Staff Engineer, LRV Systems (R6242)

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

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 autonomous aircraft in various environments.

You will lead the technical execution of system architecture, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, hydraulics, electrical power distribution, navigation, and mechanical, electrical, and data interfaces to the aircraft.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and refine the LRV architecture, integrating avionics, hydraulics, electrical power distribution, navigation, and launch and recovery mechanisms into one reliable vehicle.
• Define and document LRV modes, states, transitions, and fault responses for transport, emplacement, launch, recovery, and stow.
• Establish top-level LRV requirements, break them down into subsystem requirements, and maintain traceability across the development lifecycle.
• Develop transportation and deployment CONOPs covering road, air, and ship transportability, rapid relocation, crew workload, and sustainment.
• Conduct trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess technical risks, and ensure the best engineering solutions for mission effectiveness.
• Support LRV integration, ground testing, and verification, and combined LRV and aircraft testing through flight test and operational deployment.
• Work with DoD stakeholders, end-users, and industry partners to align LRV capabilities and CONOPs with operational requirements.

Requirements:

• Minimum 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.
• Knowledge of DoD acquisition processes and relevant standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, agile environment.
• 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.

Benefits:

• Salary within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity.
• Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment).