Senior System Engineer

Senior Systems Engineer, System IntegrationAergility • Ocala, FL (On-Site) • Full-TimeLevel: Mid-Career (7–15 yrs)Domain: UAS / Autonomous SystemsClearance : US Persons OnlyTravel: Up to 25%Company Description: Aergility is developing a new class of long-range, autonomous cargo aircraft that blend multirotor simplicity with fixed-wing efficiency. Powered by patented Managed Autorotation℗ technology, Aergility’s platforms enable vertical take-off and landing with airplane-like inflight performance, overcoming rural terrain and urban infrastructure challenges. The company is advancing scalable, modular aircraft capable of carrying heavy payloads over long distances with minimal infrastructure and no direct risk to human life. These autonomous systems support DDIL operations, contested logistics, and critical deliveries across defense, humanitarian, and commercial sectors. Aergility focuses on cost-efficient, rapidly serviceable heavy-lift eVTOL solutions that provide intelligent, unmanned cargo delivery anywhere.Role Description :The Senior System Engineer will play a key role in designing, integrating, and maintaining complex systems that support Aergility’s autonomous cargo aircraft platforms. This contract position is a hybrid role based in Ocala, FL, with a combination of on-site work and some work-from-home flexibility. Day-to-day responsibilities include leading systems engineering activities, defining requirements, designing system architectures, and coordinating integration across hardware, software, and avionics components. The role involves performing advanced troubleshooting, supporting system administration tasks, and providing technical support to internal teams and partners to ensure reliability, safety, and performance. The Senior System Engineer will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, contribute to documentation and testing plans, and help refine processes for scalable, mission-ready deployments.Position Summary: We are looking for a mid-career Systems Engineer to serve as a technical integrator and program contributor across our unmanned aircraft product lines. You will work at the intersection of vehicle design, mission systems, and hardware integration—helping translate requirements into hardware, tracking technical progress, and supporting the engineering team as we scale toward production. This role requires both hands-on systems engineering depth and the organizational discipline to manage schedules, risks, and stakeholder communication.Key Responsibilities:Systems Engineering•   Develop and own the Verification & Validation (V&V) plan; define test methods, success criteria, and traceability from requirements to test results for each program phase, across vehicle and payload subsystems•   Create, mature, and maintain process and product documentation and configuration management as the architecture evolves from prototype to production•   Lead integration planning and support software- and hardware-in-the-loop testing, ground testing, and envelope expansion flight testing; author test plans, procedures, and anomaly reports•   Perform trade studies to inform design decisions across propulsion, avionics and autonomy, structures, and mission payloads; document trade rationale and present recommendations to technical leadership•   Lead or contribute to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) efforts; develop and maintain system architecture models that serve as the authoritative source for interface definitions and behavior descriptions•   Maintain a program-level technical risk register; facilitate risk review boards and drive mitigation actions to closure•   Conduct and document failure mode and effects analyses (FMEA) and hazard analyses in support of system safety per MIL-STD-882 or equivalentProgram & Project Support•   Present at formal program reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR), monthly program reviews, and customer briefings•   Coordinate with suppliers, subcontractors, and manufacturing partners on technical requirements and deliverables•   Support proposal efforts including SOWs, technical volumes, and cost structures for new domestic and international business opportunities•   Lead progress reporting for government-funded programs (SBIR, DoD contracts)Cross-Functional Collaboration•   Work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and aerospace engineers in a small-team environment where role boundaries are intentionally fluid•   Support future manufacturing engineering staff to transition designs from development and MVP to pre-production and LRIP •   Interface with FAA, DoD program offices, and international partners as requiredRequired Qualifications•   B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field•   5–8 years of experience in systems engineering, with at least 3 years supporting hardware development programs•   Proven ability to lead system integration efforts across multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical, electrical, software, and avionics•   Experience managing project schedules, technical risk, and stakeholder communication on programs of moderate-to-significant scope•   Comfortable authoring and presenting at formal program reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and interfacing with government customers or prime contractors•   Direct experience with UAV development and qualification testing, including ground test campaigns, envelope expansion, and flight test execution•   Familiarity with UAV test planning documentation: test plans, test procedures, success criteria, and anomaly reporting•   U.S. citizenship Preferred Qualifications•   Experience with rotary-wing or VTOL UAS platforms, particularly ISR, heavy-lift or multi-rotor configurations•   Background in avionics integration, autonomy hardware and software, or mission payload systems•   Familiarity with MIL-STD-882, DO-178, DO-254, or relevant qualification standards (MIL-HDBK-516, SAE ARP 4754, STANAG 4671)•   Exposure to government contracting environments (SBIR, DARPA, Air Force, Navy)•   Experience using OnShape, SolidWorks, or similar CAD/MBSE tools•   Military service, particularly in aviation, UAS operations, or systems acquisition roles; veterans bring mission discipline, team leadership experience, and operational context that directly strengthens how we develop and field our systems.Work Location & ScheduleThis position is based at Aergility’s Ocala, FL facility. A minimum of four days per week on-site is required; one day per week may be worked remotely at the discretion of the employee and with manager approval. The flexibility of one remote day is offered as a practical accommodation, not as a baseline expectation.Compensation & BenefitsAergility offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including equity participation. Specific details will be discussed during the interview process. We are a small, mission-driven team—your contributions will be visible and consequential. Aergility is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.