Design Manager – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Small Size Fixed Wing Drones)
Job Summary:
We are seeking a hands-on Design Manager to lead the multidisciplinary design and development of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Small Size Fixed Wing Drones) from concept to retirement. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise across all UAS subsystems, experience with rapid prototyping, a full lifecycle mindset, and a strong leadership track record in building and mentoring high-performance engineering teams. He/She is expected to be a doer, go getter and good team leader.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Technical Design Leadership
- Lead the complete design lifecycle of unmanned platforms (fixed-wing, rotary, hybrid, loitering munitions).
- Own requirements definition, concept development, preliminary and detailed design, and product evolution.
- Oversee all core systems: structures, propulsion, avionics, GNC, electrical, payloads, C3, and environmental subsystems.
- Drive rapid prototyping and iterative design cycles to accelerate development, validate concepts, and reduce risk.
- Ensure designs meet performance, manufacturability, modularity, maintainability, and regulatory standards.
2. Lifecycle & Systems Engineering
- Lead design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and maintain traceability from mission requirements to subsystem implementation.
- Oversee verification, validation, documentation, and configuration management.
- Ensure scalability of designs for manufacturing and operational deployment.
3. Team Leadership & Development
- Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team of aerospace, avionics, embedded, and systems engineers.
- Set clear objectives, delegate tasks, track progress, and cultivate a high-performance, ownership-driven culture.
- Foster hands-on development, continuous improvement, and accountability.
4. Cross-functional Integration & Mentorship
- Provide leadership and mentorship across technical domains:
- Structures: Support composite/metallic airframe design, structural analysis, and optimization.
- Propulsion: Guide integration of electric, hybrid, or IC propulsion systems with thermal and vibration considerations.
- Embedded Systems & Avionics: Ensure robust integration of autopilots, IMUs, GNSS, and mission computers.
- Power Systems: Oversee battery/fuel systems, power architecture, and redundancy.
- Flight Control & Actuation: Mentor control surface design, servo integration, and feedback loops.
- Communications: Lead integration of C3 systems including RF, SATCOM, and secure links.
- Payloads: Ensure ISR and weapon systems are mechanically, electrically, and digitally compatible.
- GCS & HMI: Align operator interface with platform capabilities for intuitive control and feedback.
- Environmental & Survivability: Address EMI, sealing, cooling, and stealth considerations.
- Lead design integration meetings, resolve cross-domain challenges, and promote systems thinking.
- Coach engineers on design tradeoffs, system-level thinking, and innovation best practices.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s/Master’s in Aerospace, Systems, Mechatronics, or related engineering field.
- 5-7 years of experience in aerospace/UAS design, with 3 years in a leadership role.
- Hands-on experience with at least 3 technical domains (e.g., propulsion, avionics, structures).
- Strong background in rapid prototyping, iterative development, and flight test feedback loops.
- Proficient in design tools (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, MATLAB/Simulink, etc.).
- Solid understanding of full UAS lifecycle, airworthiness, and defense/military standards.
Preferred:
- Background in loitering munitions, HALE/MALE drones, swarming UAVs, or tactical systems.
- Experience working in dual-use or defense sectors.
- Familiarity with STANAGs, MIL-STDs, and rapid fieldable systems.