Research And Development Engineer (Charlotte Metro)

About Powerus

Powerus is building a next-generation American autonomous systems company focused on advanced unmanned systems, defense technology, engineering, and manufacturing.

We design, build, and field unmanned aircraft systems for the U.S. Department of Defense, including the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, as well as allied nations. Our engineers take systems from concept and prototype through qualification and full-rate production, here in the United States.

The Role

As a Research and Development Engineer, you will turn emerging technology into fieldable capability for warfighters. You will research, prototype, and test new airframes, propulsion, avionics, payload integrations, and autonomy features, then hand mature designs to production engineering.

This is a hands-on role. You will spend as much time in the lab, on the bench, and at the flight range as you do in CAD and simulation.

Clearance- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret clearance

Key Responsibilities

• Research, evaluate, and mature new technologies for unmanned aircraft systems, including airframes, propulsion, power systems, sensors, communications, and autonomy.
• Design, build, and iterate prototypes and subsystems using CAD, rapid prototyping, and lab fabrication.
• Plan and run bench, environmental, and flight tests; collect and analyze data; and drive design improvements from results.
• Integrate payloads, sensors, and mission systems into UAS platforms to meet customer requirements.
• Translate DoD, Army, USAF, and allied customer needs into technical requirements, trade studies, and concept designs.
• Support technology readiness (TRL) and manufacturing readiness (MRL) advancement, and transition mature designs to production engineering.
• Prepare technical documentation, test reports, design reviews, and inputs to proposals, SBIR/STTR efforts, and contract deliverables.
• Work with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program management to ensure designs are producible, reliable, and affordable at scale.
• Support customer demonstrations, field exercises, and test events, domestically and at allied locations.
• Follow ITAR, EAR, and DoD security requirements when handling controlled technical data.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship, or Lawful Permeant Resident status required for access to ITAR-controlled technical data and for security clearance eligibility.
• Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 3+ years of engineering experience in research and development, product development, or prototyping, preferably on unmanned systems, aircraft, or defense hardware.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or similar) and engineering analysis tools such as MATLAB or Python.
• Hands-on experience building and testing hardware, including test planning, instrumentation, and data analysis.
• Strong grasp of engineering fundamentals: aerodynamics, structures, electronics, or controls, depending on focus area.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including technical reports and design reviews.
• Ability to work in a fast-moving environment with changing priorities and tight demonstration timelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience with Group 1–3 UAS, VTOL or fixed-wing platforms, or loitering munitions.
• Familiarity with flight control systems and autopilot stacks such as PX4 or ArduPilot, and with autonomy, guidance, navigation, and control (GNC).
• Experience with RF communications, datalinks, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payloads, or GPS-denied navigation.
• Knowledge of military standards such as MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, and DO-160, and of airworthiness processes.
• Experience with design for manufacturing (DFM), composites, additive manufacturing, or harness design.
• Background supporting DoD programs, SBIR/STTR contracts, or Army, USAF, or allied test events.
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or military UAS operator experience.
• Prior military service, especially in aviation, UAS, or engineering roles.

Clearance, Work Environment, and Travel

• Security clearance: Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance. Some programs may require a higher level.
• Export control: This position requires access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Work environment: Work is split among office, lab, manufacturing floor, and outdoor flight test settings. It may involve lifting up to 50 lbs, working with batteries and power tools, and outdoor work in varied weather.
• Travel: Up to [25]% travel to test ranges, customer sites, and military installations, with occasional international travel to allied nations.

Why Join Powerus

• Mission impact: Your work goes into systems used by U.S. and allied warfighters.
• Ownership: Small, fast teams where engineers own designs from first sketch to flight test.
• Build in America: Help grow domestic manufacturing capability for critical defense technology.
• Benefits: Competitive salary, medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), paid time off, and professional development support.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Powerus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Due to ITAR and security requirements, applicants must be U.S. citizens.