Zone 5 isย seeking aย Chief Engineer to lead the development and integration of next-generationย unmannedย aircraftย systems (UAS). This role demands deepย expertiseย inย unmanned multi-rotorย systems with either advanced software or hardware engineering capabilities. The Chief Engineer will drive technical strategy, architecture, and executionย of UAS platforms.ย
Key Responsibilitiesย
- Lead end-to-end technical development ofย UASย from concept through productionย
- Define system architecture and technical requirements for next-generation platforms including aerodynamic design, propulsion, guidance, and payload integrationย
- Oversee integration withย aircraftย systems including mechanical interfaces, communication links, and launchย enclosuresย
- Drive technical decision-making across multidisciplinary teams including aerodynamics, flight controls, autonomy, sensors, and communicationsย
- Establish andย maintainย technical standards, design processes, and verification methodologiesย
- Lead technical risk management and trade studies for performance, cost, and schedule optimizationย
- Interface with customers, stakeholders, and program leadership on technical mattersย
- Mentor and develop engineering talent across the organizationย
- Guide certification and qualification activities for airworthiness and operational readinessย
Required Qualificationsย
- 12+ years of experience in unmannedย aircraftย systems developmentย
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (Master'sย or PhD preferred)ย
- 5+ years in technical leadership roles with direct responsibility for system-level designย
- Provenย track recordย of delivering unmannedย aircraftย programs from concept to productionย
- Deep understanding ofย aircraftย flight dynamics, guidance, navigation, and control systemsย
- Active or ability to obtain security clearanceย
- Strong communicationย skills with ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiencesย
- Proven ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage competing prioritiesย
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with systems thinking mindsetย
Technical Background (Software)ย
- Expert-levelย proficiencyย in flight control software architecture and real-time embedded systemsย
- Expert-levelย proficiencyย with on board Avionics, Navigation, Communicationsย
- Experience with path planning algorithms, and mission management softwareย
- Strong background in software-hardware integration for avionics and flight systemsย
- Proficiencyย in model-based design, simulation, and software verification/validationย
- Knowledge of DO-178C or equivalent safety-critical software standardsย
Technical Background (Hardware)ย
- Experience with mechanical/electrical systems integration including actuators, power systems, and thermal managementย
- Strong background in design for manufacturability and producibilityย
- Proficiencyย in systems engineering tools and hardware verification methodologiesย
- Knowledge of aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, and qualification testingย
Preferred Qualificationsย
- Experience withย single usemunitions,ย attritableย systemsย
- Knowledge of datalinks, RF communications, and network-centric operationsย
- Experience with digital engineering and model-based systems engineering (MBSE)ย
- Experience with swarm coordination, collaborative autonomy, or multi-agent systemsย
- Knowledge of modular design approaches and open systems architectureย
- Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes and military airworthiness certificationย
- Understanding of counter-UAS systems and electronic warfare