Senior Staff Engineer, Systems

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 www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

As a member of the Australian Engineering Team, you will contribute to the design and integration of solutions across the Hivemind Vision and Mission Autonomy technology stacks. This role supports the growth and capability maturation of the Hivemind Solutions division in Australia, enabling delivery for key customer programs and internal R&D initiatives.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with:

• Program leadership to define the appropriate systems engineering scope and level of effort.
• System Design Teams (e.g., Human Factors, UX, Architecture) to decompose solution designs into actionable technical detail.
• Development, Integration, and Test teams to define and evolve system architectures supporting autonomy, perception, and mission‑level behaviors.

What you'll do:

As a contributor to the Australian Engineering group, you will be responsible for:

• Capturing end‑to‑end system requirements for Hivemind Vision Systems and integrated autonomy solutions.
• Supporting the design and development of system architectures spanning perception, autonomy, and mission‑level workflows.
• Using MBSE tools to document, maintain, and extend existing architecture models supporting new integrations, capabilities, and customer requirements.
• Developing and maintaining models using UML, SysML, and/or UPDM.
• creating SysML models with emphasis on system decomposition, functional flows, interfaces, and system behavior.
• Collaborating with subject‑matter experts to improve tooling, automation, and connections between system models and codebases.
• Supporting the evolution and execution of the systems engineering process across the Australian engineering organization.
• Engaging cross‑functionally with product management, program management, engineering, and business development teams.
• Reporting status, risks, accomplishments, and expectations to senior engineering and program leadership.

Required qualifications:

• A minimum of 7 years of systems engineering or related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 5 years with a Master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent practical experience.
• B.S. degree in a STEM field (e.g., Systems, Software, Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering).
• Experience with systems engineering practices, including writing, structuring, and verifying requirements.
• Experience with MBSE and system‑modeling workflows.
• Experience working on cross‑functional technical teams.
• Strong communication skills, written and verbal.
• Highly organized, methodical, and comfortable managing detailed technical information.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering drawings, assembly diagrams, parts lists, wiring diagrams, and schematics.
• A demonstrated track record of integrity, high standards, teamwork, and professionalism.

Preferred qualifications:

• Expertise with MBSE, including use of Cameo Systems Modeler, Cameo APIs, and Velocity Template Language (VTL).
• Expertise in requirements and design decomposition for complex hardware/software systems.
• Experience in any of the following domains: autonomy, aircraft systems, perception, unmanned vehicles, or robotic platforms.

Clearance & Export Control Requirements:

• Eligibility to obtain an Australian NV1 (Secret) clearance.
• Ability to access and handle ITAR‑controlled and Australian export‑controlled technical data.

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.

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, colour, 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.