Senior - Principal Electrical Engineer - Robotics

WingXpand; Schaumburg (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WingXpand is seeking an Electrical Engineer to focus on PCB development and electrical design of UAV components in Schaumburg, Illinois. You'll lead the design and enhancement of electrical systems, ensuring compliance with rigorous standards.

This role requires collaboration across mechanical and software teams, hands-on troubleshooting, and a strong commitment to innovation within a fast-paced environment. Ideal candidates have a degree in Electrical Engineering and relevant experience in aerospace or robotics.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in electrical engineering, preferably in aerospace or robotics.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced startup environment.
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Design electrical systems for UAS, including avionics and power distribution.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate electrical systems into airframes.
• Support product lifecycle from prototyping to full‑scale production.

Skills

Embedded systems

Hardware debugging

Signal integrity analysis

RF communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

OrCAD

KiCad

Job description

Full-time | Open: 6/23/25 | Close: 7/15/25

Locations

Chicago (Schaumburg), IL

About WingXpand

WingXpand is Expanding What’s Possible™ with Autonomous Systems, building long‑endurance, backpackable smart plane drones and robotics systems that support defense, public safety, disaster response, and commercial missions. Our platforms operate across air, ground, and maritime domains, integrating autonomy, AI‑powered sensing, edge computing, and networked systems to deliver real‑world intelligence and threat detection. We design, build, and deploy complete systems — hardware, software, and data — and we move fast. As WingXpand scales, we are seeking high performers to grow with our team.

Position Description

Electrical Engineer specialized in PCB development, electrical design, scaled manufacturing, and enhancement of wiring systems for critical UAV components. The candidate will lead efforts to design, develop, and refine electronic systems that meet rigorous standards for quality and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Electrical system design for UAS, including avionics, power distribution, sensor interfaces, and embedded systems.
• Design and develop PCBs, including high‑speed digital, analog, power electronics, and RF circuits.
• Collaborate with mechanical and software engineers to integrate electrical systems into airframes, ensuring performance, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Perform hands‑on work with flight hardware, troubleshooting and iterating designs to meet mission‑critical needs.
• Support full product lifecycle, from rapid prototyping to full‑scale production, ensuring compliance with aerospace and military standards.
• Optimize power systems to improve flight endurance, efficiency, and safety.
• Evaluate and select components for high‑performance, low‑SwadP UAS, along with IPXX ruggedization.
• Support environmental testing (thermal, EMI/EMC, vibration) and system validation efforts.
• Contribute to system‑level architecture, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, communications, and AI‑driven autonomy.
• Participate in field testing and flight operations, working closely with test engineers and operators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, with a focus on robotics, manufacturing, systems engineering, or a related field.
• 1+ year of experience in electrical engineering, preferably in aerospace or robotics.
• Strong knowledge of embedded systems, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and RF communication.
• Hands‑on experience with hardware debugging, signal integrity analysis, and system integration.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced startup environment and take ownership of critical UAS innovations.
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail and a focus on reliability and efficiency.

Additional Qualifications

• Part 107 certification or experience flying drones is preferred.
• Proficiency in hardware design tools (Altium, OrCAD, KiCad) and simulation tools (SPICE, MATLAB, etc.).
• Proven track record in designing electrical systems from prototypes, low‑rate to high‑volume manufacturing environments.
• Hands‑on experience with assembly techniques, soldering, and prototype development.
• Strong communication skills, capable of leading projects and collaborating with teams across disciplines.

What Else You Need To Know

To conform to U.S. Government aerospace technology export regulations, applicant must be a "U.S. Person" (U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident/Green Card Holder).

If you are a self‑motivated, results‑driven individual with a passion for innovation and technology, we want to hear from you!