UAV Hardware engineer - Fixed Wing VTOL Drones

SpectX; Netherlands; Remote; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

7.69% holiday allowance

XX days of paid leave

Drone pilot license option

Job summary

SpectX designs and builds autonomous inspection systems for hard to reach infrastructure. We are seeking a UAV hardware engineer to lead the full design cycle for fixed wing VTOL drones, from requirement definition to flight testing.

You will define system-level requirements, develop aerodynamic and mechanical designs, and integrate hardware components including the PX4 stack. Ground and flight tests will validate performance and drive iterative improvements.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related engineering field.
• Strong experience with fixed wing aerodynamic design, CAD modeling and hardware integration.
• Hands-on experience assembling and testing fixed wing UAVs.
• Familiarity with open-source autopilot stacks (PX4, ArduPilot, etc.).
• Proficiency with hardware testing tools and methods.

Responsibilities

• Define and review system-level requirements for fixed wing VTOL drones.
• Develop aerodynamic and mechanical designs from concepts to CAD models.
• Select, procure, and integrate hardware components.
• Integrate PX4 flight controller stack and interfaces.
• Conduct ground testing of propulsion and sensors.
• Perform flight testing in hover, fixed-wing, and VTOL modes.
• Analyze test data, evaluate performance, and refine configurations.
• Document designs, test results, and workflows for reuse.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Mechanical engineering

Mechatronics

Fixed wing UAVs

CAD modeling

Hardware integration

Flight testing

Data post-processing

PX4

ArduPilot

Education

MSc in Aerospace Engineering

MSc in Mechanical Engineering

MSc in Mechatronics

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

CAD software

Job description

SpectX designs and builds autonomous inspection systems for hard to reach infrastructure. We are now looking for a UAV hardware engineer that is experienced in developing fixed wing VTOLs. 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 fixed wing VTOL 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, sensors, and VTOL transition systems.
• Perform flight testing in hover, fixed-wing, and VTOL transition modes.
• 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 (fixed wing) aerodynamic design, CAD modeling, and hardware integration.
• Hands-on experience assembling and testing fixed wing 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
• XX days of paid leave
• The option to get your drone pilot license