Autonomous Drone Systems Engineer

University of Colorado System; Allenspark (CO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental benefits

Tuition assistance

ECO Pass for local transit

CU Advantage program

Job summary

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Bio-Inspired Perception and Robotics Laboratory (BPRL) seeks a Flight Hardware and System Integration Engineer to design, fabricate, integrate, and maintain autonomous aerial vehicle hardware for robotics research.

You will develop mechanical platforms, PCB design, sensor integration, and flight systems; collaborate with perception, guidance, and control teams to enable reliable demonstrations of autonomous flight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in robotics, engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with CAD design using SolidWorks or similar software.
• Hands-on fabrication experience including 3D printing, soldering, machining, wiring, and mechanical assembly.
• Experience designing PCBs using KiCad, Altium Designer, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with embedded electronics, sensors, connectors, and electrical integration.
• Python programming experience and basic familiarity with ROS2.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to rapidly prototype, integrate, and test new hardware.
• Master's degree in robotics, engineering, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, assemble, and maintain custom drone platforms for laboratory research and flight testing.
• Build and maintain CAD models using SolidWorks.
• Design and integrate printed circuit boards (PCBs) for embedded sensing, power distribution and onboard electronics.
• Integrate novel sensing technologies including cameras, event cameras, radar, strain sensing systems, IMUs, GPS, and other hardware.
• Develop mounting solutions for sensors and embedded electronics with manufacturability and maintainability in mind.
• Maintain vehicle models, mass properties, and hardware configurations used in simulation and flight software.
• Fabricate prototype components using additive manufacturing, machining, soldering, and general laboratory fabrication techniques.
• Diagnose, repair, and rebuild damaged flight hardware following testing and demonstrations.
• Support laboratory flight operations by preparing aircraft, verifying hardware functionality, and assisting with system integration and testing.

Skills

SolidWorks

PCB design

3D printing

Soldering

Machining

Wiring & assembly

Embedded sensors

Python

ROS2

Education

Bachelor's degree in robotics or engineering

Tools

KiCad

Altium Designer

SolidWorks

Job description

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Bio-Inspired Perception and Robotics Laboratory (BPRL) seeks a Flight Hardware and System Integration Engineer to design, fabricate, integrate, and maintain autonomous aerial vehicle hardware for robotics research.

You will develop mechanical platforms, PCB design, sensor integration, and flight systems; collaborate with perception, guidance, and control teams to enable reliable demonstrations of autonomous flight.