UAV Aerospace System Engineer - Full-time

We are seeking a highly capable UAV Aerospace Engineer to lead the architectural design and system-level integration of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. This role requires deep technical expertise in autonomous flight systems and close collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. Experience with High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) is strongly desired.

The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with leadership ability and a systems-thinking mindset.

Salary Range: $150,000 annually to $170,000 annually

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural and system-level design of fixed-wing UAV platform
• Define and integrate autonomous flight systems, including autopilot, navigation, and mission logic
• Oversee aircraft performance, configuration, and trade studies (aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, power)
• Collaborate closely with avionics, software, RF, operations, manufacturing, and test teams
• Provide technical leadership to a small, high-performance engineering team
• Support flight test planning, execution, and post-flight analysis
• Interface with internal stakeholders and external partners as needed
• Contribute to system documentation, requirements definition, and design reviews
• Support field operations and customer engagements, including travel as required

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• Strong understanding of autonomous systems and control with 10+ years experience
• Experience with autopilot architectures
• Familiarity with Ground Control Stations (GCS)
• Understanding of radio systems and RF operations
• Experience with UAV system integration and flight operations
• Experience with Matlab/Simulink and SolidWork
• Ability to work effectively across multiple teams and disciplines
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Engineering or Physics
• Experience with High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) or long-endurance UAVs
• Background in aircraft conceptual or preliminary design
• Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams
• Familiarity with regulatory, safety, and operational constraints for UAVs

Travel

Up to 20% travel anticipated for testing, integration, and coordination activities

What we Offer

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge UAV and HAPS platforms
• High-impact technical leadership role with real system ownership
• Collaborative, mission-driven engineering environment

Benefits

• 9/80 Schedule
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
• Dental Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
• Life Insurance - 100% covered by Swift, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• 401k with company match
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
• 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.