UAV Engineer

OverviewA Dubai-based UAV business is hiring a UAV Engineer to take ownership of aircraft performance, reliability, and flight readiness across development and operations. This is a hands‑on engineering role for someone who’s built and tested real systems airframes, avionics, flight control, payload integration and can move fast without cutting corners.ResponsibilitiesLead UAV engineering across development, integration, testing, and flight readinessSupport airframe + avionics integration (power, comms, sensors, payloads) and resolve system‑level issuesOwn flight test planning and execution: test cards, instrumentation, safety checks, data capture, post‑flight analysisWork with flight control / autonomy teams to validate tuning, stability, and performance against requirementsImprove reliability and maintainability: failure analysis, corrective actions, build standards, checklists, and documentationCollaborate with manufacturing/field teams on build quality, configuration control, and rapid iterationQualificationsStrong UAV engineering background with real flight test exposure (not simulation‑only)Solid understanding of UAV systems: propulsion, power systems, avionics, comms links, sensors, payload integrationComfortable troubleshooting across hardware + software boundaries (logs, telemetry, wiring, configs, firmware)Experience with safety‑first flight operations and structured test processesStrong documentation habits: clear build notes, test reports, and change controlNice to Have (not required)PX4 / ArduPilot experience, MAVLink, GCS tooling, telemetry analysisExperience with RF links, GNSS‑denied navigation, EO/IR payloads, gimbalsComposite structures, vibration analysis, environmental testingRegulatory exposure (GCAA / operational approvals) or defence‑grade programmesCore Experience (must‑have)7–12+ years in UAV / aerospace engineering with direct responsibility for integration + flight testHas shipped real aircraft (prototype to operational), not just lab buildsComfortable owning outcomes: flight readiness, reliability, safety, and performance against requirementsEnd‑to‑end UAV systems engineering: Airframe + avionics integration (power distribution, comms, sensors, payloads)Propulsion and power systems (ESCs, motors/engines, batteries/fuel systems), performance trade‑offsFlight test ownership: Writes test plans/test cards, defines pass/fail criteria, manages instrumentation and telemetryExecutes flight tests safely, captures data, and produces post‑flight analysis + corrective actionsTroubleshooting across hardware/software: Reads logs/telemetry, isolates faults (wiring, config, firmware, sensor issues), implements fixesStrong root‑cause analysis and structured problem‑solving (8D, fishbone, etc.)Engineering discipline: Configuration control, build standards, checklists, documentation, and change managementWorks cleanly with manufacturing/field teams to improve build quality and repeatabilityPlatform/Tooling Familiarity (typical)Autopilots: PX4 and/or ArduPilot; understands tuning, stability, failsafes, mission planningProtocols/tools: MAVLink, QGroundControl/Mission Planner, log analysis (PX4 ULog, ArduPilot logs), Wireshark (bonus)Sensors/payloads: GNSS/INS, magnetometers, barometers, airspeed sensors; EO/IR payload integration is a plusComms: telemetry radios, LTE/5G links, RF basics, link budgets (bonus)Engineering tools: CAD familiarity (SolidWorks/Fusion), basic scripting (Python/MATLAB) for analysis, Git for versioning (nice)Nice to Have (role “accelerators”)Experience with BVLOS operations, redundancy, and safety casesGNSS‑denied navigation, visual‑inertial odometry, terrain following (depending on mission)Environmental testing, vibration analysis, EMI/EMC awarenessRegulatory exposure (GCAA or equivalent), operational approvals, documentation for complianceDefence / high‑assurance programmes and secure comms payload integrationSoft Skills / Working StyleCalm under pressure during flight ops; safety‑first mindsetClear communicator with pilots/operators and engineering teamsBias for evidence: uses data/logs to make decisions, not gut feelHands‑on: happy in the workshop and on the flight line, not just behind a deskCompensation FitAED 75k: strong integrator + flight test engineer with proven delivery on at least one operational platformAED 82k: senior owner who has led flight test programmes, built repeatable processes, and improved reliability at#J-18808-Ljbffr