Senior​/Lead Systems Engineer

Employment Type

Full-Time, Exempt

$120,000 – $150,000+ DOE, plus equity consideration

Chief Executive Officer

Ability to obtain/maintain a U.S. Secret clearance required; active clearance a plus

Safe Sky Systems USA is a tactical UAS manufacturer building NDAA-compliant unmanned systems for defense, commercial, and civil markets. Our platforms serve a growing base of government, commercial, and civil customers, with applications spanning defense, search and rescue, and critical infrastructure inspection. We are headquartered at the Vertex Applied Innovation Hub at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne/Palm Bay, FL.

Safe Sky Systems USA is seeking a Senior/Lead Systems Engineer to own end-to-end systems engineering across our UAS product lines. This role will drive requirements development, system architecture, integration, and verification & validation (V&V) for both fielded platforms and new development efforts, while serving as a technical lead on U.S. government and DoD-facing programs. The ideal candidate brings hands-on UAS systems engineering experience combined with direct exposure to DoD acquisition processes, requirements flow-down, and program execution.

• Lead systems engineering activities across the product lifecycle: requirements definition, architecture, interface control, integration, test, and verification.
• Translate government and customer requirements (including those sourced from DoD organizations such as Picatinny Arsenal and other program offices) into system and subsystem specifications.
• Own technical requirements traceability and ensure compliance with NDAA, Blue UAS, and other applicable defense certification standards.
• Support integration and flight test campaigns across our fixed-wing and multi-rotor UAS platforms, including payload and third-party subsystem integration (e.g., EO/IR payloads, communications, weapons-interface devices).
• Serve as technical lead/liaison on DoD program engagements, including CRADA-derived development efforts and SBIR/STTR technical execution.
• Develop and maintain system-level documentation: ICDs, test plans, verification matrices, and technical data packages suitable for government review.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, business development, and program management to ensure technical solutions align with contract and proposal commitments.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and help build systems engineering processes and rigor as the team scales.
• Represent Safe Sky Systems USA technically in customer and stakeholder meetings, flight demonstrations, and government program reviews.

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field (Master's preferred).
• 8+ years of systems engineering experience, with significant time spent on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or related aerospace/defense platforms.
• Direct experience working on or with DoD programs — including familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, requirements documents, and program office interaction (e.g., Army, SOCOM, or similar).
• Demonstrated experience with systems integration and flight test for unmanned or manned aircraft.
• Strong working knowledge of requirements management, ICDs, and V&V methodologies.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing government-facing technical documentation.

• Experience with NDAA compliance, Blue UAS certification, or similar defense-platform certification processes.
• Familiarity with SBIR/STTR program structure and technical proposal development.
• Experience integrating EO/IR payloads, C2 links, or weapons-interface systems onto unmanned platforms.
• Prior experience with CRADA or other cooperative government development agreements.
• Active DoD security clearance.
• Experience in a small-company or startup environment where systems engineers wear multiple hats.

• Competitive salary ($120,000–$150,000+, commensurate with experience) with equity consideration.
• The opportunity to shape systems engineering practice at a growing, mission-driven UAS manufacturer.
• Direct exposure to flight test, government customers, and cutting-edge defense technology development.
• A collaborative, fast-moving team based at the Vertex Applied Innovation Hub, FIT.