Systems Engineer

Performance Drone Works (PDW) builds technologies for the warfighter, by the warfighter. Born out of the Drone Racing League, our roots are competitive, our mindset is tactical, and our mission is clear: deliver purpose-built unmanned systems to those who serve. We are not here to sell vapor; we build and ship real capabilities for real missions. Now, we’re entering a new phase of growth and are looking for a skilled Systems Engineer to join our team, contributing to the next wave of system and tool development for our upcoming product lines. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in architectural design, requirements generation & management, and product simulation for a variety of sUAS systems. What You’ll Do The ideal candidate will thrive working in an innovative and fast-paced work environment, able to deal with problems on the fly, and delivers thoughtfully designed and highly adaptable systems. Sustain and support UAS platforms across air vehicle, electronics, payloads, communications, ground control, and support infrastructure. Investigate and remediate complex system-level issues spanning mechanical, electrical hardware, software, RF, and network interfaces. Perform root cause analysis on system and subsystem issues and failures. Own system-level issue resolution from intake through validation and closure, balancing near-term fixes with long-term product stability. Understand and grow knowledge of the architecture, design, interfaces, functionality and behaviors of PDW products. Collaborate with design, manufacturing, test, flight operations, and customer support teams to resolve sustainment issues Evaluate engineering changes for system‑level impacts to safety, reliability, performance, and compliance. Support configuration management, documentation, and lifecycle sustainment processes. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience) Min 8 years experience supporting aerospace, defense, or UAS systems in a system integration or systems engineering role Strong understanding of system architecture, system-of-systems integration, and interface management Experience troubleshooting fielded systems in operational environments Experience analyzing system log files and datalink messages and sequences Ability to create documentation artifacts describing troubleshooting, root cause analysis and general system description to technical, non‑technical and customer audiences. Proficiency in MS Office tools. Ability to travel up to 20%. Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher, as required Preferred Candidates with experience in UAV aircrafts, robotics development, and/or hobby drones are highly preferred (ideally with a background in datalinks, networking, communication interfaces, software, avionics, or payload integration). Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift/carry up to 25 pounds. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, and phones. Must be physically capable of walking between the office and production areas and attending events or meetings off‑site as needed. Work Environment This position typically operates in a standard office and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard engineering and manufacturing equipment and may require occasional travel to customer locations or facilities. This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non‑climate‑controlled environments. May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment. This is a fast‑paced work environment and requires cross departmental collaboration with independent and team‑based responsibilities. Standard works hours for this position are 8:30am-5:00pm with occasional overtime as operational needs demand. Benefits Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company. Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match. Paid Parental Leave. On‑site gym at our Huntsville, AL location. Employer provided life insurance. Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP). A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation. Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options. EEO Statement PDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr