Avionics Powertrain Engineer (UAV Electrical Systems)

AirQ Limited; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

AirQ Limited in Abu Dhabi seeks an Avionics Powertrain Engineer to lead design analysis and optimization of UAV propulsion powertrains, including motors, inverters, batteries and power electronics to meet performance and safety goals.

You will perform detailed calculations and simulations (MATLAB/Simulink or Python), size components, run trade studies, and collaborate with flight controls and software teams to deliver reliable systems for UAV platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Experience in electric powertrain design for UAVs, aerospace, automotive or robotics.
• Strong understanding of electric motors, power electronics and battery systems.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink or Python.

Responsibilities

• Perform electrical and system-level calculations for UAV propulsion systems, including power, torque, efficiency and energy consumption.
• Develop and validate powertrain architectures based on mission requirements.
• Conduct trade studies to optimize weight, cost and performance.
• Define interfaces between propulsion components and avionics systems.
• Build and validate simulation models for motor performance and power electronics behavior.
• Define test plans for powertrain validation (bench and flight tests).
• Collaborate with flight controls and software teams for motor control and power management.

Skills

Analytical thinking

System-level engineering mindset

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Electrical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Lab instrumentation

Job description

We are seeking a highly skilled Avionics Powertrain Engineer to lead the design analysis and optimization of electrical propulsion systems for UAV platforms. The role focuses on performing detailed calculations and simulations to define powertrain architectures and selecting critical components such as motors inverters batteries and power electronics. This position plays a key role in ensuring optimal performance efficiency reliability and safety of UAV propulsion systems.

Key Responsibilities

Powertrain Design & Analysis

• Perform electrical and system-level calculations for UAV propulsion systems including power torque efficiency thermal loads and energy consumption.
• Develop and validate powertrain architectures based on mission requirements (range endurance payload duty cycles).
• Conduct trade studies to optimize weight efficiency cost and performance.

Simulation & Modeling

• Build and maintain simulation models (e.g. MATLAB/Simulink Python or equivalent tools) for motor performance power electronics behavior battery energy usage and thermal characteristics.
• Perform system-level simulation to validate design decisions under various operating scenarios.

Component Selection

• Select and size electric motors (BLDC PMSM) inverters/motor controllers (ESCs) batteries and power distribution components.
• Evaluate supplier datasheets and validate performance against system requirements.

System Integration

• Define interfaces between propulsion components and avionics systems.
• Support integration into UAV platforms and ensure compatibility with mechanical and control systems.
• Collaborate with flight controls and software teams for proper motor control and power management.

Testing & Validation

• Define test plans for powertrain validation (bench and flight tests).
• Analyze test data and refine models.
• Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Experience in electric powertrain design (UAV aerospace automotive or robotics).
• Strong understanding of electric motors power electronics and battery systems.
• Experience with simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink or Python.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UAV propulsion systems.
• Familiarity with ESC design or motor control algorithms (FOC PWM).
• Knowledge of thermal management.
• Experience with hardware testing and lab instrumentation.

Key Skills

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• System-level engineering mindset
• Attention to detail
• Cross-functional collaboration

Deliverables / Success Metrics

• Accurate simulations and validated models
• Optimized component selection
• Reliable and efficient powertrain performance
• Reduced iteration cycles through quality analysi