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# Drone Hardware Engineer

- **Company:** Thinkorbital Inc.
- **Location:** Boulder, CO, United States
- **Experience:** Experienced
- **Salary:** $100,000.0 - $125,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** System-level Testing, Hardware Infrastructure
- **Published:** August 24, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=0979a503ed11a287

## About the Role

* Bachelor's degree in engineering, or a related field.
 * Minimum of 3 years of experience in drones and sUAS systems
 * FAA Part 107 License
 * Excellent communication and documentation skills.
 * Ability to work hands-on in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
 * Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership; able to take initiative, work independently, and tackle unfamiliar or ambiguous technical challenges with minimal guidance, * Experience integrating drone platforms, payloads, sensors, cameras, gimbals, communication systems, and ground-control equipment
 * Familiarity with common autopilot ecosystems and ground-control software, such as PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, or Mission Planner
 * Experience developing and executing ground tests, flight tests, and system-level verification procedures
 * Familiarity with autonomous flight, multi-vehicle operations, navigation systems, or drone-to-drone communication
 * Familiarity with X-ray systems, radiation safety, nondestructive testing, or imaging payloads

## Description

We're looking for a Drone Hardware Engineer to lead hardware selection, integration, and testing for our ThinkXT drone-to-drone X-ray system. This hands-on role will support the complete hardware stack, conduct system and flight testing, troubleshoot issues, and help mature ThinkXT into a reliable field-deployable product., * Work with the product and systems teams to translate product requirements into practical hardware solutions

 * Select and evaluate commercial off-the-shelf drone hardware, including aircraft platforms, batteries, communication systems, cameras, gimbals, sensors, navigation hardware, and supporting ground equipment
 * Collaborate with mechanical engineers to guide designs for hardware mounting, packaging, protection, cooling, and integration
 * Integrate selected hardware into complete flight and ground systems, including electrical, mechanical, communication, and payload interfaces
 * Develop and execute ground, flight, and system-level test plans to validate performance, reliability, and operational readiness
 * Test and validate hardware supporting autonomous flight, drone-to-drone coordination, and X-ray imaging operations
 * Troubleshoot integration and test issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions
 * Maintain bills of materials, hardware configurations, interface documentation, test records, and integration procedures
 * Evaluate suppliers, manage technical communication with vendors, and support procurement and hardware availability decisions
 * Support flight readiness reviews, field demonstrations, and safe operation of drone and X-ray systems


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