[Hiring] Systems Engineer @Shift5

Role Description

Shift5 is seeking a Systems Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be the bridge between our engineering teams and our real-world deployments. 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. This role is hands-on and execution-oriented, focusing on systems engineering execution across one or more programs, including:

• Requirements management
• System architecture
• Technical baseline control
• Delivery of formal systems artifacts (CDRLs/SDRLs) in support of U.S. Department of War (DoW) programs

This position is based out of our headquarters in Rosslyn, VA, but is open to remote candidates based out of San Diego, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, or Ogden, UT, and requires up to 30% travel to support customer site integrations and testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in systems, integration, or software engineering, preferably within the aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electronics sectors
• Familiarity with common government contract documentation according to DIDs (SRD, SRS, IDD, ICD, SDD, CSA, etc.)
• 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
• Demonstrated experience with common system verification methods (Test, Inspection, Demonstration, Analysis), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) lab environments, and software-in-the-loop setups
• Active Security Clearance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate across diverse engineering disciplines, project managers, and external government stakeholders

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
• 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
• Lead the development, review, and delivery of formal systems engineering and Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) artifacts for government acquisition programs
• Define system-level verification strategies, acceptance criteria, and testing execution
• Serve as a primary technical interface with customer engineering, PMOs, and certification authorities

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)