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Uav Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Swift Engineering

UAV Electrical Engineer

San Clemente, CA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Design, develop, and validate the complete electrical network of the UAV * Design and review custom circuit boards (PCB design) for avionics, power distribution, payloads, and communication systems

Helsing

Senior Design Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

The role As a Design Engineer, you will work on innovative UAV platforms, modifying and adapting existing mechanical and electrical designs to meet US customer requirements and specifications. You ...

Helsing

Senior Design Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

The role As a Design Engineer, you will work on innovative UAV platforms, modifying and adapting existing mechanical and electrical designs to meet US customer requirements and specifications. You ...

Swift Engineering

UAV Test Engineer

San Clemente, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

This role works closely with the design and engineering teams to ensure system performance ... Direct impact on UAV design and performance * Close collaboration with multidisciplinary ...

Anduril Industries

Chief Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

Layout system design plans and interfaces for new UAV products and platforms * Work within a team of multidisciplinary engineers and specialists throughout the life of UAV design and integration ...

Anduril Industries

Systems Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

Layout system design plans and interfaces for new UAV products and platforms * Manage tactical engineering efforts, interfacing between different engineering and test disciplines * Draft and develop ...

GuideTech LLC

Board Design Engineer

Tucson, AZ · Hybrid

... engineering disciplines, and seeing your designs progress from initial concept to deployed hardware ... Design and develop complex multilayer PCBAs/CCAs for advanced UAV, aerospace, and AI platforms.

GuideTech Open Roles

Board Design Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

... engineering disciplines, and seeing your designs progress from initial concept to deployed hardware ... Design and develop complex multilayer PCBAs/CCAs for advanced UAV, aerospace, and AI platforms.

GuideTech Open Roles

Board Design Engineer

Lenexa, KS · On-site

... engineering disciplines, and seeing your designs progress from initial concept to deployed hardware ... Design and develop complex multilayer PCBAs/CCAs for advanced UAV, aerospace, and AI platforms.

GuideTech LLC

Board Design Engineer

Lenexa, KS · On-site

... engineering disciplines, and seeing your designs progress from initial concept to deployed hardware ... Design and develop complex multilayer PCBAs/CCAs for advanced UAV, aerospace, and AI platforms.

GuideTech LLC

Board Design Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

... engineering disciplines, and seeing your designs progress from initial concept to deployed hardware ... Design and develop complex multilayer PCBAs/CCAs for advanced UAV, aerospace, and AI platforms.

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Uav Design Engineer information

See salary details

$40.5K

$88.2K

$158.5K

How much do uav design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for uav design engineer in the United States is $88,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a UAV design engineer?

UAV Design Engineers are professionals who specialize in designing, developing, and testing unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). They work on the aerodynamics, structural design, propulsion systems, and control systems of UAVs to ensure they meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements. These engineers often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create UAVs for applications such as surveillance, mapping, agriculture, and delivery services.

What are some typical challenges UAV design engineers face when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams?

UAV Design Engineers often work alongside specialists in avionics, software, mechanical engineering, and regulatory compliance. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication across these disciplines, particularly when integrating new technologies or adapting designs to meet both performance and safety standards. Navigating differing priorities—such as balancing aerodynamic efficiency with payload requirements—requires strong collaboration and problem-solving skills. Regular team meetings and project management tools are typically used to keep everyone aligned and to address integration issues early in the design process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a UAV design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a UAV Design Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace or mechanical engineering, strong knowledge of aerodynamics, and experience with UAV systems, typically supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or CATIA), simulation tools, and familiarity with avionics and embedded systems is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this position. These skills are crucial to developing innovative, reliable UAVs that meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards in a rapidly evolving field.

What is the difference between Uav Design Engineer vs Uav Systems Engineer?

AspectUav Design EngineerUav Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, relevant certificationsBachelor's in Engineering, systems-focused certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, CAD software, prototype testingSystems integration, testing, and troubleshooting
Industry UsagePrimarily involved in designing UAV hardware and aerodynamicsFocuses on UAV system integration, software, and electronics

Uav Design Engineers primarily focus on creating the physical and aerodynamic aspects of UAVs, while Uav Systems Engineers handle the integration of hardware, software, and electronic systems. Both roles require engineering backgrounds, but their daily tasks and focus areas differ, making them complementary in UAV development projects.

What cities are hiring for Uav Design Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Uav Design Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Uav Design Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Uav Design Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Uav Design Engineer jobs?

For Uav Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Uav Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,150 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

UAV Electrical Engineer

San Clemente, CA • On-site

Swift Engineering
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Swift Engineeringexternal

$130K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 hours ago

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated UAV Electrical Engineer to design, integrate, and own the complete electrical architecture of advanced unmanned aerial vehicle systems. This role is critical to the performance, reliability, and scalability of the UAV platform and requires close collaboration with a small, high-performance engineering team.
The ideal candidate is hands-on, self-driven, and comfortable taking full ownership of complex electrical systems from concept through flight.
Salary Range: $130,000 to $150,000
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and validate the complete electrical network of the UAV
  • Design and review custom circuit boards (PCB design) for avionics, power distribution, payloads, and communication systems
  • Own all radio communication systems, including command & control, telemetry, and payload data links
  • Integrate and manage battery management systems (BMS) and power electronics
  • Support integration of onboard payloads and sensors
  • Collaborate closely with avionics, software, mechanical, and systems engineering teams
  • Support system integration, ground testing, and flight testing activities
  • Perform troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and iterative design improvements
  • Develop and maintain electrical documentation, schematics, wiring diagrams, and interface definitions

What we Offer
  • Full system ownership and technical leadership responsibility
  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge UAV platforms
  • Collaborative, high-performance engineering culture
  • Direct impact on vehicle capability and mission success

Required Qualifications
  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering
  • 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering for UAVs, aerospace, robotics, or complex embedded systems
  • Strong experience with circuit board design, schematic capture, and layout
  • Solid understanding of UAV communication systems and RF integration
  • Experience with power distribution, power electronics, and battery systems
  • Ability to work effectively in a small, fast-paced, high-performance team environment
  • Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of owning systems end-to-end

Preferred Qualified
  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or related field
  • Familiarity with solar power systems, energy harvesting, or long-endurance platforms
  • Experience with avionics integration and EMI/EMC considerations
  • Background in UAV, aerospace, or high-reliability systems
  • Experience supporting flight test and operational deployments

Benefits
  • 9/80 Schedule
  • Medical Insurance
  • Vision Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
  • Dental Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
  • Life Insurance - 100% covered by Swift, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
  • 401k with company match
  • Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
  • 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
  • Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.

About Swift Engineering
If you're passionate about engineering, innovation and making a difference, we invite you to join the Swift Engineering family. Together, we are shaping the future of aerospace and creating technologies that will change the world.
The pay range for this role is:
130,000 - 150,000 USD per year (Swift Engineering)

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