Senior UAS Integration Engineer

Flagship Pioneering; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Flagship Pioneering in Boulder, CO seeks a UAS Systems Integration Engineer II to join our hardware team. This hands-on role sits at the intersection of firmware, electronics, and airframe design, driving the architecture of our fixed-wing UAV platform from prototype to field-deployable solutions for science missions worldwide.

You will work with ArduPlane, ArduPilot, C++, and Python, tuning autopilot software, integrating airframes, payloads, and C2 links, and supporting flight tests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in aerospace, electrical, mechanical engineering or closely related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• BS + 2-4 or MS + 0-2 years of hardware/software systems integration experience in real-mission or production contexts.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python with experience reading, modifying, and debugging ArduPilot source code; familiarity with MAVLink.
• Hands-on experience with ArduPilot or PX4 autopilots, preferably in production-ready contexts.
• Experience with RF link design, C2 spectrum compliance, antenna selection, and electronics integration for long-range UAVs.
• Electronics design and PCB layout experience are a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Configure, tune, and iterate autopilot firmware for fixed-wing airframes, including PID tuning, failsafe logic, auto modes, and mission scripting.
• Read, modify, and debug ArduPilot source code to extend autopilot capabilities and resolve vehicle-level issues.
• Design and iterate on fixed-wing airframes across aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion integration for payload capacity and endurance.
• Support flight test campaigns with pre-flight checks, telemetry setup, troubleshooting, and rapid firmware/hardware fixes.
• Develop C2 link architecture, RF link budgets, and spectrum compliance strategies for long-range BVLOS operations.
• Design and implement ground station software and user interfaces for mission planning and real-time monitoring.
• Integrate onboard science payloads and sensors ensuring electrical compatibility and data integrity.
• Analyze flight logs to diagnose issues and drive reliability improvements.
• Design and fabricate custom electronics including PCB layout for power distribution and avionics integration.
• Document designs, test results, and changes to build a scalable engineering knowledge base.

Skills

C++

Python

ArduPilot

MAVLink

RF design

Electronics design

PCB design

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in aerospace/electrical/mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

ArduPilot

PX4

GCS tooling

Job description

Flagship Pioneering in Boulder, CO seeks a UAS Systems Integration Engineer II to join our hardware team. This hands-on role sits at the intersection of firmware, electronics, and airframe design, driving the architecture of our fixed-wing UAV platform from prototype to field-deployable solutions for science missions worldwide.

You will work with ArduPlane, ArduPilot, C++, and Python, tuning autopilot software, integrating airframes, payloads, and C2 links, and supporting flight tests.