Avionics Powertrain Engineer (UAV Electrical Systems)

AirQ; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

AirQ is seeking an Avionics Powertrain Engineer to lead design, analysis, and optimization of UAV propulsion powertrains. You will perform detailed calculations, develop architectures, and select motors, inverters, batteries, and power electronics to ensure performance, efficiency, and safety.

The role requires experience in electric powertrain design for UAVs or related fields, proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink or Python, and strong collaboration across avionics, controls, and hardware teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, 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 for simulations.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Build and maintain simulation models for motor performance, power electronics behavior, battery energy usage, and thermal characteristics.
• Perform system-level simulation to validate design decisions under various operating scenarios.
• 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.
• Define test plans for powertrain validation (bench and flight tests).
• Analyze test data and refine models.
• Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis.

Skills

Analytical thinking

System-level mindset

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

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

• Bachelor’s or Master’s 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