Senior - Principal Electrical Engineer - Robotics

WingXpand; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

WingXpand in Chicago, IL, is seeking a Senior/Principal Electrical Engineer specializing in PCB development and aerospace-grade electrical design for autonomous drones. You will lead hardware design, integrate with software and mechanics, and drive rugged, scalable solutions for mission-critical platforms.

You will design PCBs and power systems, validate with environmental tests, and collaborate to improve endurance and safety across air, ground, and maritime modules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, robotics/manufacturing focus preferred.
• 6–12+ years in electrical engineering, aerospace or robotics.
• Strong knowledge of embedded systems, microcontrollers, FPGAs, RF comms.
• Hands-on hardware debugging, signal integrity and system integration.
• Startup environment: ownership of critical UAS innovations.
• Reliable problem solving with attention to reliability and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Electrical system design for UAS: avionics, power distribution, sensor interfaces, embedded systems.
• Design and develop PCBs: high-speed digital, analog, power, RF.
• Collaborate with mechanical/software to integrate systems into airframes.
• Hands-on with flight hardware; troubleshoot and iterate designs.
• Support lifecycle from prototyping to production; ensure aerospace compliance.
• Optimize power for endurance, efficiency, safety; SWaP considerations.
• Evaluate components for high-performance, rugged UAS; IPXX concerns.
• Support environmental testing (thermal EMI/EMC, vibration) and validation.
• Contribute to system-level architecture; field testing with operators.

Skills

Embedded systems

Microcontrollers

FPGAs

RF communication

Hardware debugging

System integration

Signal integrity

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

KiCad

SPICE

MATLAB

Job description

Senior - Principal Electrical Engineer - Robotics

Locations:

Chicago (Schaumburg), IL

Type:

Full-time | Open: 8/12/26 | Close: 8/26/26

AboutWingXpand

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

We are in search of an Electrical Engineer with specialized expertise in PCB (Printed Circuit Board) development, electrical design, scaled manufacturing, and the enhancement of wiring systems for critical UAV components. The successful candidate will lead efforts to design, develop, and refine electronic systems that meet our rigorous standards for quality and innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Electrical system designfor 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 engineersto integrate electrical systems into airframes, ensuring performance, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Work hands-on 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 systemsto improve flight endurance, efficiency, and safety.
• Evaluate and selectcomponents for high-performance, low-SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) 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.
• 6-12+ year of experiencein electrical engineering, preferably in aerospace or robotics.
• Strong knowledge ofembedded systems, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and RF communication.
• Hands-on experience withhardware debugging, signal integrity analysis, and system integration.
• Ability towork in a fast-paced startup environmentand take ownership of critical UAS innovations.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail and a focus on reliability and efficiency.
• Proficiency inhardware design tools(Altium, 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, applicantmust bea 'U.S. Person' (U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident/Green Card Holder).