# Senior Staff Engineer, Systems (R

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** San Diego, CA
**Role:** Embedded Engineering
**Salary:** $170k – $250k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Rf Systems, Satcom, Los/Blos Datalinks, Ip Networking, Encryption Technologies, Gcs Architectures, Systems Engineering, Mbse, Cameo Systems Modeler, Flight Test
**Posted:** 2026-05-22

> Lead development and integration of ground control station and communication systems for military aircraft and autonomous platforms. Requires 5+ years in aerospace communications, systems engineering expertise, and familiarity with RF, SATCOM, and datalinks.

## Job Description

## What you'll do

- Define GCS and communication system behaviors, operational workflows, and activity diagrams to ensure reliable command, control, telemetry, payload, and mission data exchange
- Develop and integrate communication architectures including RF links, SATCOM, LOS/BLOS datalinks, networking infrastructure, antennas, encryption devices, and mission control interfaces
- Lead cross-functional integration between avionics, mission systems, networking, cybersecurity, software, and test teams to improve system interoperability and reduce integration risk
- Develop and validate interface definitions, network architectures, link budgets, and communication performance requirements for airborne and ground-based systems
- Support lab, field, and flight test activities to troubleshoot communication issues, validate network performance, and improve operational resiliency and mission readiness

## Required qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field
- 5+ years of experience in communications systems, networking, mission systems, or military aerospace integration
- Experience with GCS architectures, datalinks, RF systems, networking, or airborne communication systems
- Familiarity with LOS/BLOS communications, SATCOM, IP networking, encryption technologies, and hardware/software integration environments
- Strong systems engineering, troubleshooting, and cross-functional communication skills

## Preferred qualifications

- Experience supporting UAV, fighter aircraft, autonomous systems, or military communication networks
- Experience defining operational behaviors, activity diagrams, CONOPS, or system architectures using MBSE tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler
- Background in integration labs, flight test, network resiliency, or tactical communication systems
- Familiarity with cybersecurity, RMF, resilient communications, and contested environment operations
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance preferred

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