UAS Standards & Prototyping Engineer

Job Description Job Description The pitch If you're a research-minded engineer who's tired of choosing between deep technical work and the regulatory conversations that actually shape the industry, this role is built for you. We need someone who can sit in an ASTM working group meeting in the morning, write Python to analyze flight data in the afternoon, and draft a section of a safety case the next day. Someone who can apply SAE ARP4761 to a real system, build a model in an MBSE tool, and co-author the standards that will define how m:N BVLOS operations work for the next decade. This role works directly with our CTO on the technical and regulatory foundations of the m:N BVLOS ecosystem. Half the work is prototype software and analytical tooling. Half is standards and regulatory expertise. Both halves matter equally. What it's like to work here Small team. Real ownership. Direct access to the executives setting the strategy. We expect candor, precision, and follow-through, and we give the same in return. We have hard conversations when we need to. We don't do politics, and we don't do empire-building. The work is technically demanding and the stakes are real. Federal stakeholders are watching, and our customers are betting their operations on what we deliver. If you want a role where your work directly shapes how the national airspace evolves, this is it. Who we're looking for You're a research-minded engineer with an advanced degree in systems engineering, aerospace, human factors, or a closely related discipline, and meaningful exposure to aviation standards development. You've sat in working groups, authored white papers, and contributed to published standards. You know the difference between an ASTM ballot draft and an RTCA committee deliverable, and you've spent time in at least one of them. You're equally comfortable writing a Python script to analyze flight data, building a system model in an MBSE tool, applying SAE ARP4761 and ARP4754 to a safety case, or co-authoring a standards contribution. You go deep on unfamiliar systems, you write clearly, and you operate well in environments where the problem isn't fully defined yet. You're equally at home in a working group meeting, in a peer-reviewed paper, and in a Python notebook. You're calm under pressure, comfortable with ambiguity, and you bridge research-grade prototypes and production-grade engineering conversations without losing your footing in either. This role reports directly to the CTO. What you'll own Technical and regulatory contributions to ResilienX's standards work across ASTM, RTCA, NASA working groups, and adjacent bodies, including draft contributions, ballot reviews, and meeting representation White papers, technical position papers, and contributions to standards covering UAS BVLOS, m:N operations, ground control station human factors, IASMS, and related topics Prototype software and analytical tooling in Python (or equivalent) to support research questions, safety case development, and concept exploration System and operational models built in MBSE tools (Innoslate, Cameo, or similar) and system-of-systems frameworks Translation of emerging standards and regulatory requirements into product requirements and design constraints, in collaboration with engineering and product teams Human factors analysis for ResilienX systems, including ground control station design, crew workload, and m:N operational concepts Quantitative and qualitative data analysis on operational, simulation, and flight test data Contributions to FAA documentation packages, including safety cases, waiver applications, and NTAP-related artifacts ResilienX's representation at industry conferences, working group meetings, and academic forums Currency on FAA rulemaking, BVLOS frameworks, UTM/USS standards, and the broader AAM regulatory landscape Required 3+ years of combined research, standards development, or industry experience in UAS, aviation systems, human factors, or system safety (Ph.D. research and working group contributions count toward this) Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Mechanical, Human Factors, Computer Science, or a related technical field Direct experience contributing to standards development through ASTM, RTCA, NASA working groups, or equivalent bodies Working knowledge of UAS BVLOS operations and the FAA regulatory environment Familiarity with system safety frameworks, including SAE ARP4754 and ARP4761 Demonstrated technical writing strength, including authorship of white papers, standards contributions, peer-reviewed publications, or formal regulatory documentation Working Python skills for prototyping, data analysis, modeling, and tooling Experience with MBSE or systems modeling tools (Innoslate, Cameo, NetLogo, or similar) Comfort with quantitative and qualitative data analysis and the statistical tooling that supports it Proven ability to take ownership of unfamiliar technical areas and learn them quickly Nice to Have Ph.D. in a relevant discipline with a research focus on UAS, AAM, human factors, or system safety Published work in aviation and human factors venues (AIAA, HFES, or equivalent) Direct experience with m:N sUAS operational concepts, ground control station human factors, or IASMS Hands-on UAS operational exposure (Part 107 certification, simulation or flight testing, or field experience) Experience with human factors methodologies including NASA TLX, semi-structured interviews, and usability evaluation Familiarity with FAA waiver and exemption processes, COAs, and safety case construction Working knowledge of qualitative analysis tools and statistical packages (such as NVivo, Minitab, SPSS, R) Familiarity with PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, or similar UAS software stacks Active network in the UAS, AAM, human factors, or aviation standards community Experience supporting cross-functional research collaborations across industry, government, and academia Compensation & Benefits Medical, dental, and vision insurance covered by the company, plus long-term disability, short-term disability, and a $100,000 life insurance policy Company-paid parking at a downtown garage right across from the office 401k program available for employee contributions (no company match at this time) Stock options as part of the compensation plan. When the company does well, so do the employees. Salary range: $90,000 to $130,000. Final compensation will be determined based on a candidate's experience, qualifications, certifications, and demonstrated expertise relative to the role. Eligibility Requirement Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Company Description We're a small, engineering-led company building the safety, orchestration, and operational infrastructure that makes BVLOS drone operations possible at scale. Our products are the safety and control layer for low-altitude airspace, managing real-time risk, compliance, and coordination across drones, operators, and missions in public safety, infrastructure, logistics, and defense. In practice, we act as both safety authority and system integrator: we translate regulatory approval into deployable, scalable drone networks. With the FAA's final BVLOS regulations around the corner, the industry is about to take off, and we're at the front of that wave. Company Description We're a small, engineering-led company building the safety, orchestration, and operational infrastructure that makes BVLOS drone operations possible at scale. Our products are the safety and control layer for low-altitude airspace, managing real-time risk, compliance, and coordination across drones, operators, and missions in public safety, infrastructure, logistics, and defense.\n\nIn practice, we act as both safety authority and system integrator: we translate regulatory approval into deployable, scalable drone networks. With the FAA's final BVLOS regulations around the corner, the industry is about to take off, and we're at the front of that wave.