Senior Systems Engineer

Shift5 is the observability platform for onboard operational technology (OT). We’re a rapidly growing scale-up that specializes in cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance for OT systems across defense, aerospace, and rail. We are a collaborative, passionate, and driven cadre of dynamic, multidisciplinary experts focused on helping our customers’ fleets run smarter and safer by accessing and democratizing the volumes of onboard OT data generated by transportation, freight fleets, defense fleets, and other critical infrastructure.

Our Values:

• Mission First Mindset: We exist to protect the service members who defend our nation and secure the critical systems that keep our economy moving.


• Relentless Innovation: We are motivated by the challenge of solving the toughest problems facing transportation and defense industries.


• Data Driven Decisions: We make decisions rooted in data, giving our team and stakeholders the most informed perspective possible when lives and missions are on the line.

Role Description:

Shift5 is seeking a Systems Engineer to join our team in Rosslyn, VA. In this role, you will be the bridge between our core engineering teams and our real-world deployments. You will be responsible for overseeing how our Manifold hardware integrates into various platforms, ensuring that all systems—both hardware and Manifold software—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, and the delivery of formal systems artifacts (CDRLs/SDRLs) in support of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) programs.

Note: This position is based out of our Rosslyn, VA headquarters and requires up to 50% travel to support customer site integrations and testing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Platform Integration & Technical Execution:
  
  
  
  • Define and design the integration of Shift5 manifold hardware into customer platforms, including brackets, cabling design, and A-kit development.
  
  
  • Coordinate cross-discipline technical execution across hardware, software, cyber, and integration teams.
  
  
  • Identify and manage technical risks, dependencies, and integration challenges.
  
  


• Requirements Management & Technical Baseline Management:
  
  
  
  • Own and maintain system-level technical baselines across assigned programs.
  
  
  • Oversee the tracking, testing, and verification of compliance, customer, and product requirements.
  
  
  • Develop, decompose, and manage requirements and associated documents such as SRDs, SRSs, and ICDs.
  
  
  • Work with Program Managers (PMs) to manage technical contracted requirements and assess the downstream technical impact of changes.
  
  


• CDRL & Technical Artifact Development:
  
  
  
  • Lead the development, review, and delivery of formal systems engineering artifacts and Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) artifacts for government acquisition programs.
  
  
  • Develop artifacts including Verification & Validation Plans, System Architecture and Design Documents, Configuration Management artifacts, and Technical Manuals.
  
  
  • Perform system-level analysis such as Weight & Balance, Electrical Loads Analysis, and FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis).
  
  


• System Architecture & Design:
  
  
  
  • Organize team discussions to define and maintain system architecture across hardware, software, network, and platform interfaces.Serve as a technical authority for system-level decisions.
  
  


• Verification, Validation & Test:
  
  
  
  • Define system-level verification strategies and acceptance criteria.
  
  
  • Assist in the execution of system-level testing to ensure all products meet specified requirements, safety, and airworthiness standards.
  
  


• Program & Customer Engagement:
  
  
  
  • Serve as a primary technical interface with customer engineering, PMOs, and certification authorities.
  
  
  • Support formal technical reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRRs.
  
  
  • Mentor team engineers in systems engineering methods and documentation (Staff level).
  
  

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.


• Experience: 3+ years of experience in systems, integration or mechanical engineering, preferably within the aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electronics sectors.


• Government Acquisition Knowledge: Familiarity with typical common Government contract related documentation such as SRD, SRS, IDD, ICD, SDD, CSA, etc according to DIDs.


• Technical Skills:




• Understanding of configuration management principles.


• Basic understanding of hardware integration, including cabling design and mechanical mounting.


• Ability to interpret system schematics and generate detailed harness drawings.


• Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) for mechanical design is preferred.


• Experience with system verification testing and hardware integration lab setup.


• Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) lab environments and environmental qualification standards such as MIL-STD-704, 810, 461.


• Familiarity with industry standards such as AS9100, ISO 9001, or MIL-STDs.

Soft Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across diverse engineering disciplines and provide clear technical positions to stakeholders

Compensation:

• Base Salary: $141,374 - $160,150


• 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).

Shift5 is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.