UAS Hardware Engineer

POSITION: UAS Hardware Engineer

LOCATION: Fairborn, Ohio, WPAFB

REQUIRED SECURITY CLEARANCE: Top Secret / SCI

POSITION TYPE/STANDARD WORK HOURS: Full Time, 40 hours, On-site

THE OPPORTUNITY:

BTAS is recruiting a UAS Hardware Engineer with expertise in UAV airframe design, materials, aerodynamics, vibration analysis, payload integration, and embedded systems to support advanced AFRL Center for Rapid Innovation research and development initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hardware development, autonomous systems integration, embedded computing platforms, and advanced prototyping technologies supporting defense applications.

The UAS Hardware Engineer will support the design, integration, testing, and evaluation of UAS systems and associated hardware technologies. This role requires technical expertise across UAV platforms, embedded systems, autonomy frameworks, manufacturing processes, payload integration, and mission systems supporting Department of War research efforts.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the design, development, integration, and testing of UAS airframes, payload systems, and embedded hardware technologies.
• Perform engineering analysis related to UAS operations performance and payload integration.
• Advise the customer on UAS hardware subsystems including flight controllers, ESCs, power systems, telemetry systems, navigation systems, and sensor packages.
• Familiar with the concepts of autonomous flight system integration utilizing PX4, ArduPilot, ROS/ROS2, computer vision, sensor fusion, and autonomous navigation technologies.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of collaborative autonomous systems and swarm technologies.
• Support payload integration and testing activities involving ISR, RF, EW, or mission-specific sensor technologies.
• Participate in hardware and rapid prototype fabrication reviews.
• Conduct laboratory, field, and flight testing activities supporting UAS technology demonstrations and evaluations.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering documentation, test plans, presentations, and recommendations for program stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams supporting advanced autonomous systems and UAS research initiatives.
• Assist with troubleshooting, system integration, and hardware/software interoperability across UAS platforms.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education - Required
  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Robotics, or related technical discipline.
• Experience:
  • 2-4 years of relevant engineering experience in UAS systems, robotics, embedded systems, aerospace systems, autonomous platforms, or related technical fields.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of UAS airframe design, aerodynamics, materials, payload integration, or related aerospace engineering concepts.
  • Experience with some of the following UAS hardware systems:
    • Flight controllers
    • ESCs and power systems
    • Battery management systems
    • Navigation systems
    • Telemetry systems
    • Sensor integration
    • Payload integration
  • Familiarity with autonomy and controls technologies such as:
    • PX4 and/or ArduPilot
    • ROS/ROS2
    • Computer vision
    • Sensor fusion
    • Autonomous navigation
    • Swarm or multi-agent systems
  • Experience with engineering prototyping and development tools, including PCB design, rapid prototyping, or hardware integration activities.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and technical documentation skills.
  • Experience supporting defense, aerospace, autonomous systems, robotics, university research, or related technical programs is preferred.
  • Internship, research, capstone project, or laboratory experience may be considered toward relevant experience requirements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position does not supervise the work of others.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to operate a computer and other standard office equipment. Must be able to remain in a stationary position, 80%.

TRAVEL:

Minimal travel, 5 - 10%.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note 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/or activities may change at any time with or without notice.

COMPENSATION / SALARY RANGE:

BTAS adheres to federal, state, and local regulations. This is a Full-Time, Salary, Exempt position. Salary is subject to a variety of factors, including but not limited to years of experience, education, certification(s), training, specialized skills, responsibilities, etc.

BTAS BENEFITS:

A comprehensive benefits program, including paid time off, federal holidays, health coverage, 401K plan with generous company match is offered to all full-time employees.