Staff Engineer, Mission Systems (R5893)

Seattle, Washingtonfull time

On Site

senior

H1B: no

Shield The Staff Engineer, Mission Systems leads the end-to-end engineering of mission systems on advanced unmanned aircraft, including payloads, communications, avionics, and weapons. This role drives system architecture, requirements development, integration, and test campaigns to ensure mission capability and compliance.

Responsibilities

This staff engineer for mission systems will serve as a senior technical leader responsible for the end-to-end engineering of mission systems on advanced next-gen unmanned aircraft, including payloads, communications, avionics, weapons, and associated support systems. This individual will shape the technical direction of programs, ensuring that the aircraft deliver decisive mission capabilities through robust, integrated, and certifiable system designs.
Lead system architecture and requirements development and integration for payloads, avionics, and weapons integration
Serve as a technical subject matter expert for mission systems engineering across the aircraft program
Drive trade studies and system-of-systems analysis to balance performance, cost, and schedule
Oversee integration and test campaigns, from bench-level hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) to flight test
Ensure compliance with MIL-HDBK-516C, DO-178C, DO-254, and related standards
Collaborate with program management to de-risk architectures and ensure technical maturity gates are met
Interface with customers, partners, and suppliers to align system requirements and certifications

Qualification

Master’s or PhD in AerospaceActive DoD Top Secret clearance

Required

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant Aerospace/defense experience, with at least 5 years in mission systems integration.
Demonstrated experience with aircraft payloads, avionics, and/or weapons integration
Demonstrated experience with line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight aircraft communications systems and components
Working knowledge of Government modular open system approach (MOSA) standards to include open mission systems (OMS), Government Reference Architectures (GRA) or modular avionics standards
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex systems to fielded capability
Strong knowledge of systems engineering processes and product development lifecycle
Familiarity with DO-178C/DO-254 certification requirements for software and hardware
Excellent communication skills and ability to brief technical findings to executives and customers
Active Secret clearance and have the ability to obtain a Top-Secret clearance

Preferred

Master’s or PhD in Aerospace, Systems, or Electrical Engineering
Hands-on experience with flight test operations and mission system validation
Direct experience integrating advanced sensors, autonomy, AI-enabled payloads, or guided weapons
Background in model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and SysML tools
Strong knowledge of current aircraft mission systems vendors and capabilities
Active DoD Top Secret clearance
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity