UAV Hardware Engineer

POSITION: UAV Hardware Engineer

LOCATION: Fairborn, Ohio, WPAFB

REQUIRED SECURITY CLEARANCE: Top Secret / SCI

POSITION TYPE/STANDARD WORK HOURS: Full Time, 40 hours, On-site

THE OPPORTUNITY:

BTAS is recruiting a UAV Hardware Engineer with expertise in UAV airframe design, materials, aerodynamics, vibration analysis, payload integration, and embedded systems to support advanced AFRL Center for Rapid Innovation research and development initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hardware development, autonomous systems integration, embedded computing platforms, and advanced prototyping technologies supporting defense applications.

The UAV Hardware Engineer will support the design, integration, testing, and evaluation of UAV systems and associated hardware technologies. This role requires technical expertise across UAV platforms, embedded systems, autonomy frameworks, manufacturing processes, payload integration, and mission systems supporting Department of War research efforts.

WHO WE ARE:

BTAS is a woman-owned small business founded in 1995, located near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Beavercreek, OH. We have earned national and regional awards in the Department of Defense for our proven IT, Engineering, and Program Management capabilities.

We are committed to working with exceptional quality and professionalism to deliver excellence to our customers, while providing our employees with a stimulating and satisfying work environment as we collaborate with teammates to achieve common goals.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the design, development, integration, and testing of UAV airframes, payload systems, and embedded hardware technologies.
• Perform engineering analysis associated with UAV aerodynamics, vibration analysis, structural materials, and payload integration.
• Develop and integrate UAV hardware subsystems including flight controllers, ESCs, power systems, telemetry systems, navigation systems, and sensor packages.
• Support embedded systems development utilizing STM32, NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi, FPGA platforms, and RTOS environments.
• Support autonomous flight system integration utilizing PX4, ArduPilot, ROS/ROS2, computer vision, sensor fusion, and autonomous navigation technologies.
• Assist in development and evaluation of swarm systems and collaborative autonomous platform architectures.
• Support payload integration and testing activities involving ISR, RF, EW, or mission-specific sensor technologies.
• Conduct hardware prototyping, PCB design, soldering/rework, and rapid prototype fabrication activities.
• Utilize CAD tools and additive manufacturing technologies to support hardware design and prototype development.
• Participate in laboratory, field, and operational testing activities supporting UAV technology demonstrations.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering documentation, test plans, briefings, and recommendations for AFRL stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams supporting advanced autonomous systems and UAV research programs.
• Support troubleshooting, system integration, and hardware/software interoperability efforts across UAV platforms.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education - Required
  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Robotics, or related technical discipline.
• Experience:
  • 5 + years of directly related experience:
    • Strong knowledge of UAV airframe design, aerodynamics, materials, vibration analysis, and payload integration.
    • Experience supporting UAV hardware systems including:
      • Flight controllers
      • ESCs and power systems
      • Battery management systems
      • Navigation systems
      • Payload integration
      • Telemetry systems
      • Airframe design
      • Sensor integration
    • Strong embedded systems experience with:
      • STM32
      • VIDIA Jetson
      • Raspberry Pi
      • FPGA development
      • Real-time operating systems (RTOS)
    • Knowledge of autonomy and controls technologies including:
      • PX4 / ArduPilot
      • ROS/ROS2
      • Computer vision
      • Sensor fusion
      • Autonomous navigation
      • Swarm systems
    • Experience with manufacturing and prototyping technologies including:
      • PCB design
      • Soldering/rework
      • CAD tools
      • Additive manufacturing
      • Rapid prototyping
    • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and technical documentation skills.
    • Experience supporting Department of War, AFRL, or autonomous systems development programs preferred.
  • One or more of the following certifications preferred:
    • Cybersecurity
      • Security+
      • CISSP
      • CEH
      • OSCP
      • GPEN
      • GREM
    • RF / EW / Engineering
      • Amateur Radio License
      • FCC certifications
      • INCOSE systems certifications
      • MIL-STD familiarity
    • UAV
      • FAA Part 107
      • Drone manufacturer certifications

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position does not supervise the work of others.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to operate a computer and other standard office equipment. Must be able to remain in a stationary position, 80%.

TRAVEL:

Minimal travel, 5 - 10%.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and/or activities may change at any time with or without notice.

COMPENSATION / SALARY RANGE:

BTAS adheres to federal, state, and local regulations. This is a Full-Time, Salary, Exempt position. Salary is subject to a variety of factors, including but not limited to years of experience, education, certification(s), training, specialized skills, responsibilities, etc.

BTAS BENEFITS:

A comprehensive benefits program, including paid time off, federal holidays, health coverage, 401K plan with generous company match is offered to all full-time employees.

AAP / EEO STATEMENT:
BTAS is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

BTAS is an E-Verify program participant.