Solutions Architect

Job Title: Solutions Architect
Job Description
We are seeking a Sr Solutions Architect to deliver embedded compute and Edge AI platforms that power next-generation unmanned systems. These systems include Group 1-3 UAS, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and maritime platforms tailored for defense, public safety, and government customers. Our System-on-Modules (SOMs) enable real-time perception, autonomy, and secure mission processing for applications such as ISR, force protection, perimeter security, and contested-environment operations. This role is ideal for someone with deep, hands-on experience in defense and UAV platforms, who has worked directly with drone OEMs, defense primes, payload suppliers, and system integrators.
Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and nurture new OEM, Tier1/2 integrators, and defense prime customers to expand the design win pipeline and grow revenue in the drone and defense market, focusing on AI-enabled UAVs and mission-critical unmanned systems.
• Act as the first technical and business point of contact for key drone accounts, building multilevel relationships across engineering, product, program, and procurement teams to uncover opportunities to increase compute content per platform.
• Architect and scope end-to-end unmanned system solutions, including Edge compute/AI SOMs, sensor payloads (EO/IR, RGB, LiDAR, radar, SIGINT where applicable), flight controllers and autonomy stacks (PX4/Pixhawk, ArduPilot, custom RTOS/Linux stacks), and onboard networking, storage, and secure communications.
• Conduct market, product, and technology research across UAV, edge compute modules, payload ecosystems, and competing drone compute platforms; perform competitive analysis to inform the compute roadmap and identify differentiated solutions that increase market penetration.
• Translate customer and program requirements into clear product requirements, reference architectures, and solution briefs for internal engineering and product teams.
• Support marketing and business development efforts, including providing technical input for UAV-focused product launches, participating in defense and UAV industry events, and developing technical collateral, demos, and customer success narratives tied to real platforms and deployments.

Essential Skills

• 8+ years of experience in the Defense/Drone space in either a technical or sales role.
• Demonstrated experience working with drone OEMs, defense primes, or system integrators on deployed or program-of-record platforms.
• Strong technical understanding of UAV system architecture, including onboard compute, sensors, flight control, and ground control integration.
• Experience supporting design-ins or platform selections for embedded compute, SOMs, or related technologies.
• Ability to credibly engage with engineering teams and defense customers on architecture, trade-offs, and performance constraints.
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Drone, UAV, electronics, embedded systems, IoT expertise.

Work Environment
This position is remote, allowing for flexible working from a location of your choice.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Minneapolis, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $200000.00/yr.
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Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 26, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


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