Project Engineer, UAS Development

Description

• Ensure safety, airworthiness, and compliance with FAA UAS environments including Part 107 and COA operations
• Coordinate across multidisciplinary engineering teams including aero performance, mechanical, electrical, autonomy, software, propulsion, manufacturing, systems integration, flight test, and payload teams
• Prepare technical reports, milestone packages, risk briefings, and readiness summaries for leadership and defense stakeholders
• Support and participate in ground and flight test operations, including integration, troubleshooting, and post flight assessments
• Define and map verification and validation methods and support development of test assets including HIL setups, ground rigs, instrumentation, and data pipelines
• Manage technical maturity of UAS systems from concept through production, ensuring alignment with program timelines, budgets, and milestone gates
• Conduct and support technical reviews for structural analyses, aerodynamic assessments, subsystem integration, avionics and electrical architecture, autonomy and controls logic, and flight test plans
• Ensure complete subsystem integration across flight controls, navigation, communications, propulsion, power, avionics, autonomy, and payloads
• Coordinate with suppliers, government partners, and mission users to align development with operational needs and program objectives
• Identify and communicate technical and program risks, airworthiness considerations, and integration issues to stakeholders and leadership
• Develop and execute ground and flight test procedures, instrumentation strategies, and rapid data analysis loops
• Lead formal design and program reviews (SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PRR) while supporting rapid iteration and internal build fly learn cycles
• Improve engineering workflows including systems engineering practices, digital engineering tools, and agile execution structures
• Maintain system architecture artifacts and interface control documentation while supporting agile development and configuration management
• Translate mission and system specifications into derived requirements, interface definitions, and architecture documentation

Requirements

• Familiarity with autonomy, onboard compute, or AI or ML enabled edge systems
• Experience with aircraft platform development, integration, or flight system maturity
• Hands on aircraft or robotics experience such as FPV or RC aircraft, private pilot, experimental aircraft building, or flight test support
• Ability to operate in fast paced, iterative development environments
• Acquainted with DoD, NASA, or defense UAS programs
• Familiarity with flight controls, communications, power systems, avionics, or payload integration
• Masters degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in an aerospace or defense engineering role supporting complex electromechanical systems, with at least 2 years as a Project Engineer.
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel to various testing locations as needed
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
• Strong communication, organizational, documentation and cross functional coordination skills
• Experience with CAD and simulation tools such as SolidWorks and MATLAB or Simulink
• Understanding of UAS airworthiness and safety processes
• Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically for testing and demonstrations
• 2+ years in unmanned aerial systems or autonomous platforms
• 7+ years of experience in an aerospace or defense engineering role supporting complex electromechanical systems
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and first principles analysis
• Knowledge of FAA Part 107 and COA environments
• Proficiency with systems engineering methodologies and technical program execution
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or related field

Benefits

• Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• Hospital Indemnity insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate
• Equity grants for new hires
• Generous Parental Leave
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.
• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• Critical Illness insurance
• Accident insurance

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance