UAS Development Engineer - Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Job Description

Job Description

UAS Development Engineer – Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Company: Undisclosed
Location: Tempe, AZ
Compensation: Competitive, based on experience

Position

• Must be willing to undergo a background check
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• On-site work required

About the Company

We are a rapidly growing aerospace and defense technology company specializing in the development and manufacturing of advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), autonomous technologies, and innovative defense platforms.

Our team works across engineering, prototyping, systems integration, flight testing, and production to bring advanced aerospace technologies from concept to operational deployment. We are expanding our aircraft development capabilities and seeking experienced engineers who thrive in fast-paced, hands-on development environments.

Position Overview

We are seeking a UAS Development Engineer to support the development, integration, testing, and refinement of fixed-wing unmanned aircraft across Group 1–3 size classes.

This position focuses on aircraft development, MAVLink-based autopilot configuration and parameter engineering, flight-control tuning, flight testing, performance analysis, and root cause corrective actions.

The ideal candidate has direct experience developing and flight testing fixed-wing UAS platforms, understands aircraft flight dynamics and control systems, and can independently diagnose and resolve technical challenges. We value practical engineering competency, technical ownership, and problem-solving ability over formal credentials.

Key Responsibilities

Aircraft Development & Systems Integration

• Support the development, integration, and testing of Group 1–3 fixed-wing UAS platforms.
• Integrate autopilots, avionics, sensors, actuators, propulsion systems, and supporting aircraft subsystems.
• Configure and validate aircraft control systems, flight modes, failsafes, and autonomous flight functions.
• Evaluate aircraft stability, control authority, aerodynamic performance, and flight characteristics.
• Support aircraft modifications, prototype development, and engineering design improvements.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to resolve technical integration challenges.

Autopilot Configuration & Flight-Control Tuning

• Configure and tune MAVLink-compatible autopilot systems, including ArduPilot, PX4, or equivalent platforms.
• Develop, modify, and validate aircraft-specific autopilot parameter configurations.
• Tune flight-control loops, navigation parameters, airspeed control, altitude control, and autonomous flight behaviors.
• Diagnose flight-control issues using telemetry, data logs, and ground-control software.
• Perform sensor calibration, actuator configuration, control-surface setup, and autopilot integration.
• Develop and validate parameter configurations across aircraft operating conditions and flight envelopes.

Flight Testing & Root Cause Corrective Actions

• Plan, execute, and support structured ground and flight-test activities.
• Develop flight-test procedures, test cards, and performance evaluation criteria.
• Conduct flight-envelope expansion, stability assessments, and aircraft performance evaluations.
• Analyze flight logs, telemetry, and aircraft behavior to identify performance deficiencies.
• Perform root cause analysis of aircraft stability, flight-control, propulsion, and integration issues.
• Develop, implement, and validate corrective actions through simulation, ground testing, and flight testing.
• Document engineering findings, test results, configuration changes, and corrective actions.

Engineering & Process Improvement

• Identify and resolve aircraft design, integration, and performance challenges.
• Improve aircraft reliability, flight performance, operational capability, and development efficiency.
• Develop and maintain aircraft configuration records, technical documentation, and flight-test reports.
• Support the transition of aircraft designs from prototype development into repeatable production configurations.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and disciplined engineering and flight-test environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional engineering experience .
• Direct hands-on experience developing, integrating, and flight testing fixed-wing unmanned aircraft.
• Proficiency configuring and tuning MAVLink-compatible autopilot systems such as ArduPilot, PX4, or equivalent.
• Experience with autopilot parameter engineering, flight-control tuning, and aircraft configuration.
• Working knowledge of fixed-wing aerodynamics, aircraft stability, flight dynamics, and control systems.
• Ability to analyze flight telemetry, data logs, and aircraft performance.
• Experience independently diagnosing technical issues, performing root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
• Experience conducting structured ground and flight testing.
• Familiarity with UAS avionics, propulsion systems, actuators, sensors, and electrical integration.
• Strong technical judgment, mechanical aptitude, and independent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engineering priorities in a fast-paced development environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing Group 2 or Group 3 fixed-wing UAS platforms.
• Experience with fixed-wing VTOL and hybrid aircraft configurations.
• Proficiency with Mission Planner, QGroundControl, MAVProxy, or equivalent tools.
• Experience with software-in-the-loop (SITL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation.
• Familiarity with PID tuning, control-loop architecture, and flight-control system development.
• Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or other flight-data analysis tools.
• Familiarity with CAD software such as SolidWorks or Fusion 360.
• Experience integrating advanced navigation, communications, and payload systems.
• Experience with aircraft flight-test safety, risk assessments, and test planning.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or equivalent operational experience.
• Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, or advanced UAS development programs.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an engineer who understands aircraft beyond theoretical design and has practical experience developing, tuning, troubleshooting, and flying fixed-wing UAS platforms.

The right candidate can identify aircraft performance deficiencies, analyze flight data, isolate root causes, implement corrective actions, and validate solutions through disciplined engineering and flight testing.

We place a strong emphasis on technical ownership, independent problem-solving, and the ability to advance aircraft development without excessive oversight.

This is a hands-on engineering position with opportunities for expanded responsibilities as our aircraft development and manufacturing operations grow.

Work Environment

• On-site engineering and manufacturing facility in Phoenix East Valley, Arizona.
• Hands-on aircraft development, integration, ground testing, and flight testing.
• Direct collaboration with engineers, technicians, and leadership.
• Participation in local and occasional off-site flight-test activities.
• Opportunity to support advanced aerospace and defense development programs.

\nCompany Description

The company listing this position is undisclosed and will be disclosed during the interview process.

Company Description

The company listing this position is undisclosed and will be disclosed during the interview process.