Senior Electrical Engineer in San Diego

Energy Jobline ZR; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Freedom Flight Works in San Diego, CA is seeking a Senior Aerospace Electrical Engineer with UAV expertise to lead and innovate within our engineering team. You will drive advanced electrical systems, guidance, servo control, and rugged design for high-performance aerospace applications.

The role requires hands-on prototyping, verification testing, and mentoring of junior engineers, plus leadership across multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years in aerospace electrical engineering, with 5+ years in UAV systems.
• Expertise in guidance systems, servo control, ruggedized design and verification testing.
• Proven leadership, including team management and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of advanced UAV electrical systems, including guidance, servo control and power management.
• Oversee rugged design of durable components to withstand harsh environments.
• Direct integration of guidance and navigation systems with sensors, GPS and inertial units.
• Spearhead servo control design for actuation of control surfaces, gimbals and payloads.
• Establish design assurance processes per aerospace standards (DO-160, DO-254, MIL-STD).
• Develop verification and validation testing strategies and oversee test execution.
• Collaborate with QA teams to uphold rigorous quality standards and drive corrective actions.
• Hands-on prototyping, troubleshooting, and system integration.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead cross-functional teams to milestones.
• Oversee detailed documentation of schematics, test plans, and compliance reports.

Skills

System design

Rugged design

Guidance systems

Servo control

Design assurance

Verification testing

Quality leadership

Hands-on engineering

Team leadership

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence

Job description

Job DescriptionJob Description

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Aerospace Electrical Engineer with extensive expertise in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to lead and innovate within our engineering team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in guidance systems, servo control, rugged design, design assurance, verification testing, and quality control, coupled with proven leadership and mentoring skills. This role demands hands‑on technical proficiency and the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams in delivering high-performance electrical systems for aerospace applications.

Key Responsibilities

• System Design and Innovation: Lead the design and development of advanced electrical systems for UAVs, including guidance systems, servo control mechanisms, and power management solutions, ensuring alignment with mission‑critical requirements.
• Rugged Design: Oversee the development of durable electrical components and systems engineered to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, vibrations, and electromagnetic interference.
• Guidance Systems: Direct the integration of sophisticated guidance and navigation systems, incorporating sensors, GPS, and inertial navigation units, to achieve precise and reliable UAV performance.
• Servo Control: Spearhead the design and optimization of servo control systems for precise actuation and stabilization of UAV components, such as control surfaces, gimbals, and payloads.
• Design Assurance: Establish and enforce design assurance processes to ensure compliance with aerospace standards (e.g., DO‑160, DO‑254, MIL‑STD), driving reliability and safety in all designs.
• Verification Testing: Develop and lead comprehensive verification and validation testing strategies, overseeing test execution to confirm system performance, durability, and compliance under simulated and operational conditions.
• Quality Leadership: Collaborate with quality assurance teams to define and uphold rigorous quality standards, leading root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions to maintain product excellence.
• Hands‑On Expertise: Actively participate in prototyping, troubleshooting, and system integration, leveraging hands‑on skills to resolve complex technical challenges and validate designs.
• Team Leadership and Mentorship: Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering technical growth and collaboration while leading cross‑functional teams to achieve project milestones and objectives.
• Documentation and Compliance: Oversee the creation of detailed technical documentation, including schematics, test plans, and compliance reports, to support design reviews, certifications, and regulatory approvals.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree strongly .
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience in aerospace electrical engineering, with at least 5 years focused on UAV systems.
  • Demonstrated expertise in guidance systems, servo control, ruggedized design, and verification testing.
  • Proven leadership experience, including managing teams and mentoring engineers.
• Technical Skills:
  • Advanced proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence) for circuit design and PCB layout.
  • Expertise in embedded systems, microcontrollers, and real‑time operating systems.
  • In‑depth knowledge of aerospace standards (e.g., DO‑178C, DO‑254, MIL‑STD‑810).
  • Proficiency with test equipment, including oscilloscopes, signal analyzers, and environmental test chambers.
• Leadership Skills:
  • Strong ability to lead and inspire technical teams, manage projects, and drive innovation.
  • Excellent communication skills to collaborate with stakeholders and present complex technical information clearly.
  • Proven mentoring skills to develop junior engineers and foster a culture of excellence.
• Soft Skills:
  • Exceptional problem‑solving and analytical skills with a focus on quality and precision.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with UAV flight control systems, autopilot integration, and sensor fusion.
• Familiarity with FAA and international certification processes for UAVs.
• Background in designing fault‑tolerant and redundant systems for high‑reliability aerospace applications.
• Prior experience leading successful product development cycles from concept to deployment.

Company Description

Freedom Flight Works is a development sandbox for creative designers. Seeking motivated individuals to conquer the challenges of building cutting‑edge aerospace systems with a focus on precision, reliability, and performance.
Developing powered parafoil autonomous air vehicle products with the intent to transitioning to production. Expect exciting technical challenges in a fast‑paced rewarding environment. This is an extremely challenging and rewarding opportunity for highly motivated and productive individuals.

Company Description

Freedom Flight Works is a development sandbox for creative designers. Seeking motivated individuals to conquer the challenges of building cutting‑edge aerospace systems with a focus on precision, reliability, and performance.
Developing powered parafoil autonomous air vehicle products with the intent to transitioning to production. Expect exciting technical challenges in a fast‑paced rewarding environment. This is an extremely challenging and rewarding opportunity for highly motivated and productive individuals.