Hands-on UAS Design & Integration Engineer

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory seeks a UAS Design and Integration Engineer to lead the end‑to‑end development of autonomous air systems. You will oversee concept development, build, integration, laboratory checkout, and flight testing, delivering complete, tested prototypes to test teams and end users.

You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, autonomy, test, and operations teams to ensure system performance and reliability while balancing mass, power,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on experience designing, building, integrating, and testing custom UAS or similar hardware.
• Experience owning technical solutions through build, testing, and iterative improvement.
• Experience designing, integrating, operating, and troubleshooting mechanical and electrical prototype systems.
• Proficiency with PX4 and ArduPilot autopilot systems and their ground control software.
• Understanding of UAS subsystems: avionics, propulsion, GNC, electrical, payload integration.
• Strong cross‑disciplinary communication and collaboration.
• Comfort with hands‑on work in labs, shops, and field environments.
• Active Secret clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and integration of UAS prototypes from concept through build, lab checkout, ground and flight testing, and delivery.
• Lead hands‑on assembly and integration of UAS platforms, including wiring, propulsion, sensors, and payloads.
• Translate mission needs into practical, low‑cost vehicle and ground support solutions while balancing performance, mass, power, cost, and safety.
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, software, autonomy, test, and operations teams to optimize the full system.
• Design and integrate flight control systems, including autopilot configuration and GNC tuning for diverse configurations.
• Plan and execute laboratory, ground, and flight testing; analyze results and drive design improvements.
• Communicate risks and schedule impacts early and drive corrective actions.
• Produce documentation for build, test, operation, maintenance, and lessons learned.

Skills

GNC tuning

SolidWorks

UAS integration

Payload integration

Flight control systems

Autonomy

Soldering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

Ground control software

Job description

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory seeks a UAS Design and Integration Engineer to lead the end‑to‑end development of autonomous air systems. You will oversee concept development, build, integration, laboratory checkout, and flight testing, delivering complete, tested prototypes to test teams and end users.

You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, autonomy, test, and operations teams to ensure system performance and reliability while balancing mass, power,