Staff Engineer, Software Systems (R4445)
Shield AI
San Diego, CA, USA
Posted on Feb 7, 2026
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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 Hivemind Solutions Systems Engineering Team, a candidate will contribute to a group charged with defining, coordinating and communicating the design of integrated solutions inclusive of the Hivemind autonomy software.
In this role, you will collaborate closely with:
Programmatic leadership to determine the appropriate System Engineering level of effort
System Design Teams (e.g., Human Factors, UX, Architecture, etc.) to decompose solution designs to actionable levels of detail
System Development & Test (e.g., Development, Integration, Test) to define system architectures
What you'll do:
- Define end-to-end system requirements, from solution level to specific implementations of software
- Support the design & development process for the software system architecture
- Use MBSE tools to document, maintain & extend existing architecture in support of new integrations & capabilities
- Develop and maintain models using Unified Modeling Language (UML), Systems Modeling Language (SysML), and/or Unified Profile for DoDAF/MODAF (UPDM)
- Develop SysML models with emphasis on system decomposition, functions, interfaces, and behavior
- Collaborate with SMEs for improved tooling and connection to code for automated system models
- Lead cross-functional teams on projects
- Collaborate to define implementations of the systems engineering processes
- Engage cross functionally with product management, program management, mechanical engineering, embedded engineering, business development, and other company leaders
- Report status, risks, accomplishments, expectations to senior leadership
Required qualifications:
- A minimum of 5 years of systems engineering or related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 4 years and a Master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
- B.S. degree in a STEM discipline (e.g., Software, Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering)
- Experience with Systems Engineering practices and principals, including writing, organizing, and verifying requirements
- Experience with MBSE and related efforts
- Experience working in cross-functional teams
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbally
- Organized and methodical
- Software engineer experience in C++ and/or Python
- Experience in reading, interpreting, and applying engineering drawings, including assembly drawings, parts lists, wiring diagrams, and schematics
- Demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others
- The ability to obtain and maintain a US Security Clearance. US citizenship is required as only US citizens are eligible for a security clearance
Preferred qualifications:
- Expertise with MBSE, inclusive of use of Cameo API and Velocity Template Language (VTL)
- Expertise with Requirement & Design decomposition
- Experience in any/all of the following: Autonomy, Aircraft, Unmanned Vehicles
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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.
140000 - 210000 USD a year