Systems Engineer

Shift5

Remote · United States
Remote
$143K – $156K /yr
Mid Level
Posted 22 Sep 2026

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for overseeing how our system integrates into various DoW platforms, ensuring that all our subsystems—from embedded software, hardware, and cabling to visualization applications, networking schemes, and cloud environments—meet rigorous compliance and customer requirements.
Define and design the integration of Shift5 software and hardware into customer platforms, including data interfaces, execution environments, OS-level configuration, network topology (TCP/IP, tactical radio/RF), encryption/key management, environmental qualification (MIL-STD), SWaP, cabling, and A-kit development. Identify and manage technical risks and dependencies.
Lead the development, review, and delivery of formal systems engineering and Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) artifacts for government acquisition programs, including V&V Plans, System Architecture/Design Documents, Configuration Management artifacts, and Technical Manuals.
Serve as a primary technical interface with customer engineering, PMOs, and certification authorities. Lead content development for formal technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRRs) and define entry/exit criteria for milestone events.
You seamlessly bridge engineering teams and DoW platform deployments, ensuring complex hardware, software, and network subsystems meet strict airworthiness, safety, and compliance standards.
You independently own and manage technical baselines, CDRL deliverables, and requirements traceability with zero friction across fast-moving defense acquisition programs.
You build high-trust relationships with customer PMOs and engineering authorities, successfully navigating technical gates (PDR, CDR, TRR) to advance platform capabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
Familiarity with common government contract documentation according to DIDs (SRD, SRS, IDD, ICD, SDD, CSA, etc.).
Demonstrated experience with common system verification methods (Test, Inspection, Demonstration, Analysis), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) lab environments, and software-in-the-loop setups.
Familiarity with industry design standards such as DO-178 and DO-254.
Familiarity with quality standards such as AS9100 and ISO 9001.

and requires

up to 30% travel to support customer site integrations and testing.

Requirements & Technical Baseline Management

Own and maintain system-level technical baselines across assigned programs. Oversee tracking, testing, and verification of compliance and customer requirements. Develop, decompose, and manage requirements documents (SRDs, SRSs, ICDs) and evaluate design updates for downstream program impact.

System Architecture & Design

Lead end-to-end, cross-discipline technical execution across software, platform, cyber, data science, and integration teams. Serve as the technical authority for system-level decisions across hardware, software, network, and platform interfaces.

Verification, Validation & Test

Define system-level verification strategies, acceptance criteria, and testing execution. Perform system-level analyses including latency, throughput, network bandwidth allocation, platform stability, system safety, and fault tolerance (FMECA, Single-Point Failure).

Cross-Disciplinary Technical Authority

You serve as a trusted technical lead across software, cyber, hardware, and platform teams, translating complex operational constraints into robust, scalable architecture designs.

Experience

5+ years of experience in systems, integration, or software engineering, preferably within the aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electronics sectors.

Technical & Integration Skills

Strong understanding of configuration management, software/OS integration (Linux/Unix), network architectures (TCP/IP, routing, VLANs), radio/RF communications, encryption protocols, and basic hardware/cabling integration in safety-critical/airworthiness environments.

Security Clearance

Active Security Clearance.

Soft Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate across diverse engineering disciplines, project managers, and external government stakeholders.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $143,000 - $156,000

Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup

Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance
Uncapped paid time off policy

Flexible work & remote work policy

Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that embraces the diversity of our people and represents the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives and ways of solving problems. We strive to attract and retain talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Shift5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, projected veteran status, or any other protected group or class.