UAS Hardware Engineer

BTAS is recruiting a UAS 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 UAS Hardware Engineer will support the design, integration, testing, and evaluation of UAS 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., * Support the design, development, integration, and testing of UAS airframes, payload systems, and embedded hardware technologies.

• Perform engineering analysis related to UAS operations performance and payload integration.
• Advise the customer on UAS hardware subsystems including flight controllers, ESCs, power systems, telemetry systems, navigation systems, and sensor packages.
• Familiar with the concepts of autonomous flight system integration utilizing PX4, ArduPilot, ROS/ROS2, computer vision, sensor fusion, and autonomous navigation technologies.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of collaborative autonomous systems and swarm technologies.
• Support payload integration and testing activities involving ISR, RF, EW, or mission-specific sensor technologies.
• Participate in hardware and rapid prototype fabrication reviews.
• Conduct laboratory, field, and flight testing activities supporting UAS technology demonstrations and evaluations.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering documentation, test plans, presentations, and recommendations for program stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams supporting advanced autonomous systems and UAS research initiatives.
• Assist with troubleshooting, system integration, and hardware/software interoperability across UAS platforms.

• Education - Required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Robotics, or related technical discipline.
• Experience:
• 2-4 years of relevant engineering experience in UAS systems, robotics, embedded systems, aerospace systems, autonomous platforms, or related technical fields.
• Demonstrated knowledge of UAS airframe design, aerodynamics, materials, payload integration, or related aerospace engineering concepts.

• Experience with some of the following UAS hardware systems: o Flight controllers o ESCs and power systems o Battery management systems o Navigation systems o Telemetry systems o Sensor integration o Payload integration

• Familiarity with autonomy and controls technologies such as: o PX4 and/or ArduPilot o ROS/ROS2 o Computer vision o Sensor fusion o Autonomous navigation o Swarm or multi-agent systems

• Experience with engineering prototyping and development tools, including PCB design, rapid prototyping, or hardware integration activities.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Experience supporting defense, aerospace, autonomous systems, robotics, university research, or related technical programs is preferred.
• Internship, research, capstone project, or laboratory experience may be considered toward relevant experience requirements., Must be able to operate a computer and other standard office equipment. Must be able to remain in a stationary position, 80%., 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.

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.

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.