Autonomous UAV Hardware Engineer — Flight Test & Integration

Code19 Racing; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Code19 Racing is seeking a Robotics Hardware Engineer – Mechanical to design, build, integrate, and test UAV airframes and payloads for our autonomous systems. This is a hands-on role spanning airframe design, propulsion, electronics, and field testing.

You will move between CAD, fabrication, flight line, and software integration, acting as builder, tester, and systems integrator to deliver flight-ready platforms. Collaboration with autonomy and robotics software engineers is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of UAS airframe design, aerodynamics, materials, payload integration, or related concepts.
• Experience with UAS hardware systems: flight controllers, ESCs/power systems, battery management, navigation, telemetry, sensor integration, payload integration.
• Familiarity with autonomy/controls tech: PX4/ArduPilot, ROS/ROS2, sensor fusion, swarm or multi-agent systems.
• Experience with prototyping tools incl. PCB design, rapid prototyping, or hardware integration.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation skills.
• Experience with design, integration, and flight testing of UAVs.
• Understanding of aerodynamics, rigid body dynamics, IMUs, motors, ESCs, LiPo batteries.
• 3D printing, soldering, assembly.
• Ability to engage technically with robotics software team.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, integrate, and test UAV airframes, subsystems, and payloads.
• Perform engineering analysis related to UAS operations performance and payload integration.
• Plan, execute, and lead field tests, incorporating feedback for design revisions.
• Focus on rapid development, integration, and operations of drones.
• Act as builder, pilot, systems integrator, test engineer, and operator for autonomous systems.
• Move between CAD, fabrication, flight line, and software integration to deliver flight-ready platforms.
• Lead technical execution from concept through prototyping and first tests.
• Develop system-level architecture that is cost-effective and robust.
• Support prototype and low-rate production testing.
• Prepare mission cards and assist flight mission planning.

Skills

UAS design

Aerospace engineering

Mechanical engineering

CAD

Testing

Education

Bachelor or higher degree in ME/EE/Aero

Tools

PCB design

3D printing

Soldering

Hardware integration

Job description

Code19 Racing is seeking a Robotics Hardware Engineer – Mechanical to design, build, integrate, and test UAV airframes and payloads for our autonomous systems. This is a hands-on role spanning airframe design, propulsion, electronics, and field testing.

You will move between CAD, fabrication, flight line, and software integration, acting as builder, tester, and systems integrator to deliver flight-ready platforms. Collaboration with autonomy and robotics software engineers is essential.