UAV Hardware engineer - Drones

SpectX; Netherlands; Remote; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance 7.69%

26 days paid leave

Drone pilot license option

Job summary

SpectX designs and builds autonomous inspection systems for hard to reach infrastructure. SpectX is looking for a UAV hardware engineer to own the full design cycle from requirement definition to flight testing.

You will define system-level requirements, develop aerodynamic and mechanical designs, select and integrate hardware components, and configure the PX4 stack. Ground and flight testing, data analysis, and documentation are key parts of the role.

Qualifications

• MSc in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Strong experience with aerodynamic design, CAD modeling, and hardware integration.
• Hands-on experience assembling and testing UAVs.
• Familiarity with open-source autopilot stacks (PX4, Ardupilot, etc.).
• Proficiency with hardware testing tools and methods (motor thrust stands, sensor calibration).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a structured engineering approach.

Responsibilities

• Define and review system-level requirements for drones.
• Develop aerodynamic and mechanical designs, from initial concepts to finalized CAD models.
• Select, procure, and integrate hardware components.
• Integrate and configure the PX4 flight controller stack, including hardware/software interfaces.
• Conduct ground testing of propulsion and sensors.
• Perform flight testing.
• Analyze test data, evaluate performance, and refine system configurations.
• Document designs, test results, and integration workflows for reuse across projects.

Skills

Aerodynamic design

CAD modeling

Hardware integration

UAV assembly/testing

PX4/ArduPilot

Hardware testing tools

Analytical thinking

Education

MSc in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

Job description

SpectX designs and builds autonomous inspection systems for hard to reach infrastructure. We are now looking for a UAV hardware engineer. The new hardware engineer should manage the full design cycle, from requirement definition to flight testing.

Your Role

As a UAV Hardware Engineer at SpectX, you will:

• Define and review system-level requirements for drones
• Develop aerodynamic and mechanical designs, from initial concepts to finalized CAD models.
• Select, procure, and integrate hardware components
• Integrate and configure the PX4 flight controller stack, including hardware/software interfaces.
• Conduct ground testing of propulsion and sensors.
• Perform flight testing
• Analyze test data, evaluate performance, and refine system configurations.
• Document designs, test results, and integration workflows for reuse across projects.

Requirements

• MSc in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Strong experience with aerodynamic design, CAD modeling, and hardware integration.
• Hands-on experience assembling and testing UAVs
• Familiarity with open-source autopilot stacks (PX4, Ardupilot, etc.).
• Proficiency with hardware testing tools and methods (motor thrust stands, sensor calibration).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a structured engineering approach.

Nice-to-Have

• Experience with lightweight composite structures and UAV prototyping.
• Knowledge of power systems, batteries, and thermal management for UAVs.
• Exposure to safety-critical design, redundancy, and failsafe protocols.
• Experience with UAV flight testing campaigns and data post-processing.
• Familiarity with avionics integration, C2 links, or ROS2-based system architectures.

What We Offer

• 7.69% holiday allowence
• 26 days of paid leave
• The option to get your drone pilot license