Senior Systems Engineer (Surveillance)

SkyGrid, a Wisk Company, exists to open the sky for autonomous flight. Based in Austin, Texas, SkyGrid builds ground-based high-assurance third-party services to enable the safe operations and airspace integration of highly automated and autonomous aircraft. SkyGrid also acts as a key operational nexus for advanced air mobility, integrating and managing data, infrastructure, access, and traffic to support seamless and efficient air traffic services.

The SkyGrid team is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer (Surveillance) to lead and support surveillance system activities across the company portfolio. In this role, you will play a critical part in defining, architecting, and integrating SkyGrid’s ground-based surveillance architectures across the Systems Engineering “V”, including the development of requirements, use cases, and functional architectures for technologies such as Detect and Avoid (DAA), ADS-B, Radar, and Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS/ACAS).

This role directly supports certification, safety, and verification & validation (V&V) planning while utilizing a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) paradigm throughout the system lifecycle. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, Integrated Product Team (IPT) leads, other systems engineers, program managers, and system architects. Success in this role requires a strong blend of surveillance technical domain expertise, system safety rigor, collaborative communication, and technical leadership. This role will report to the Systems Engineering Manager and while a hybrid workplace is preferred, it can be considered a fully remote role.  

Performance Objectives:

Deliver high-quality systems lifecycle artifacts and technical leadership through the current CDR phase of the program and ensure on-time completion to support CDR review in the next 18-24 months. 

Establish complete end-to-end bi-directional requirements traceability (from top-level operational needs down to subsystem allocations) for surveillance systems, ahead of CDR review.

Support the development of the System/Subsystem Design Description documents in relation to the Critical Design Reviews.

Identify and mitigate technical and performance risks covering traffic surveillance aspects of the system. 

Responsibilities:

Capture, derive, and manage system and subsystem requirements for traffic surveillance based on operational needs, customer inputs, airspace constraints, and regulatory standards (e.g., FAA, EASA, applicable RTCA MOPS). 

Develop and maintain SysML models (Use Case, Activity, Sequence, State machine, etc.) using MBSE methodologies and tools like Cameo. 

Support the system architecture definition and technical integration for surveillance sensors and systems (e.g., ADS-B In/Out, Radar, DAA/ACAS, and transponders). 

Advance and support system development activities including the current design phase through implementation, verification and validation, all the way through certification. 

Support compliance with ARP4754B development practices and collaborate on system safety assessments per ARP4761A (FHA, PASA, SSA). 

Support technical program reviews for SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and qualification reviews.  

Ensure compliance with customer, contractual, and regulatory requirements.

Coordinate cross-functional activities across engineering teams and review/supervise the technical work of junior and mid-level systems engineers. 

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Aerospace Engineering or related STEM degree from an accredited university or college. 

7+ years of experience working in a highly technical, aerospace-related industry. 

5+ years of experience working in a Systems Engineering position. 

Hands-on experience with surveillance avionics systems, collision avoidance, or sensor fusion technologies (e.g., ADS-B, Radar, TCAS / ACAS X, DAA, Mode S Transponders). 

Familiarity with all phases of the SE design process: ConOps, requirements development, software / system Architecture, system Integration and test, and Verification and Validation. 

Experience with ARP 4754B and ability to support System Safety reviews per ARP 4761.  

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in engineering or related field. 

Experience developing aircraft systems, Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM), or Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) platforms. 

Exposure to RTCA/EUROCAE standards relevant to surveillance systems (e.g., DO-365, DO-260, DO-185, DO-386). 

Familiarity with DO-178C (Software) and DO-254 (Complex Hardware) airborne development processes.  

Experience with requirements management tools such as Polarion, DOORS. 

Experience applying MBSE principles using SysML and one or more MBSE tools (Cameo Systems Modeler/MagicDraw). 

Join Our Team and Enjoy Exceptional Benefits:

Comprehensive Health Coverage from Day One: Enjoy immediate access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, including HSA and FSA options.

Generous Retirement Contributions: Benefit from an automatic company 401k contribution program, with no match required, plus an additional company matching program to boost your retirement savings. 

Calm Annual Membership: Prioritize your mental health with complimentary access to mindfulness and meditation resources. 

Discounted ClassPass Membership: Stay active and healthy with access to thousands of fitness studios and gyms nationwide. 

Investment in Your Growth: Receive an annual stipend for learning and development to support your continuous education and skill development

Engaging Team Activities: Participate in quarterly team-building events and celebrations organized by our dedicated culture committee.

Fully Stocked Kitchen: Enjoy a variety of snacks and beverages to keep you fueled throughout the day. 

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

An employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, if it does not pose undue hardship.