Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an engineering or technical field (e.g., aerospace, mechanical, electrical, computer, or systems engineering)
5+ years of experience in complex hardware or autonomous systems programs (UAS, aerospace, robotics, automotive, or defense tech)
Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through design, integration, and test phases
Strong grasp of engineering fundamentals and ability to engage technically with subject matter experts
Proven track record of hands-on program execution — planning, risk management, and delivery without heavy process overhead
Excellent communication, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a startup or high-growth environment
Familiarity with defense programs, military customers, or mission requirements
Experience with hardware/software integration, flight test campaigns, or rapid prototyping
Comfort operating with incomplete data, iterating quickly, and learning in real time
Responsibilities
Own delivery of one or more UAS programs from early design through flight test and production transition
Partner deeply with engineering to understand architectures, dependencies, and key performance drivers; translate system-level requirements into actionable workstreams
Establish and maintain program rhythm: technical reviews, decision gates, risk tracking, and daily execution focus
Drive integration across disciplines (hardware, avionics, GNC, flight sciences, manufacturing, and supply chain)
Identify and unblock bottlenecks — whether technical, logistical, or organizational
Own timelines and milestones — but prioritize impact and learning velocity over bureaucracy
Communicate effectively with executives — distill complex technical progress into clear, concise updates and trade-off decisions
Champion accountability and urgency within a flat, high-performance engineering culture