--- title: Senior Staff Engineer, Avionics Systems at Shield AI description: Shield AI is hiring for the Senior Staff Engineer, Avionics Systems role in San Diego, CA. See the full description and apply. type: job url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/senior-staff-engineer-avionics-systems-at-shield-ai-01a14767-b1bc-7b0a-80a0-51962be6cd9d date: 2026-10-17T01:23:09Z og_description: Join Shield AI as Senior Staff Engineer, Avionics Systems in San Diego, CA. Pays $170K–$310K per year. Full-time, on-site role. og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/og/2etfvo.png breadcrumbs: - label: Home url: https://www.foundrole.com/ - label: Search url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs --- | | | |---|---| | **Company** | [Shield AI](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/shield-ai?utm_source=ai_markdown) | | **Location** | Seattle, WA | | **Salary** | $170K/yr - $310K/yr | | **Type** | Full Time, Part Time, Temporary | | **Posted** | Oct 16, 2026 | ## Description 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](https://shield.ai/). Follow Shield AI on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/shield-ai), [X](https://x.com/shieldaitech), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/shield_ai), and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@Shield_AI).  ### 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 cutting-edge autonomous aircraft systems for national defense. You will lead the technical execution of the air vehicle avionics architecture, integrating flight computers, navigation, communications, sensor payloads, and mission systems with autonomy and propulsion. This position requires a deep understanding of aerospace systems engineering, avionics architecture, and complex system integration. You will work with the hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing teams to develop a scalable, mission-ready platform that can operate in contested environments. Your expertise will be critical to defining avionics requirements and architectures through model-based systems engineering (MBSE). You will also run trade studies, ensure compliance with military and aviation standards, and support the aircraft through flight testing and operational deployment. #LI-AD6 #LE 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.   \###   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. ## Skills - Software Deployment - Flight Testing - Model Based Systems Engineering - Avionics - Trade Studies ## Related - [More jobs at Shield AI](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/shield-ai?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Engineering jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Aerospace Engineering jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering/aerospace-engineering?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Aerospace Engineer jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering/aerospace-engineering/aerospace-engineer?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Browse all companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) ## Explore this job market - [Washington](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/washington?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 63466 jobs - [Defense and Space](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/aerospace-and-defense/defense-and-space?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 63059 jobs - [Seattle, WA](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/washington/seattle?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 18075 jobs - [Shield AI](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/shield-ai?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 803 jobs ## Related pages - [Washington](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/washington?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 63466 jobs - [Defense and Space](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/aerospace-and-defense/defense-and-space?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 63059 jobs - [Seattle, WA](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/washington/seattle?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 18075 jobs - [Shield AI](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/shield-ai?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 803 jobs ## Browse - [Companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by country](https://www.foundrole.com/locations?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs in the United States by state and city](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B sponsors by location](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-sponsors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B salaries](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-salaries?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Sectors and industries](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by career field](https://www.foundrole.com/careers?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Latest jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/latest?utm_source=ai_markdown)