Senior UAS Integration & Systems Lead

Hawthorn Aero; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawthorn Aero in Dayton, OH seeks a Principal UAS Integration Engineer to lead the integration of a third-party UAS into production, test, and field environments for U.S. War programs. The role combines hands-on execution with top-level oversight as programs scale.

The position emphasizes system architecture, OEM engagement, and manufacturing transitions, with airworthiness, verification, and risk management at its core. A government clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years aerospace/defense with UAS or complex aircraft integration.
• Proven senior technical leadership in large-scale integration.
• Experience interfacing with OEM/design authority on defense programs.
• Experience transitioning manufacturing/integration/test capabilities between facilities.
• Strong systems engineering, configuration management, and defense quality processes.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Principal Engineer and technical authority for UAS integration.
• Define system integration strategies, standards, and best practices.
• Mentor a multidisciplinary integration team as capability scales.
• Act as primary contact with OEM design authority.
• Lead design reviews, configuration control and engineering data exchange.
• Coordinate engineering changes with OEM and government stakeholders.
• Direct transition of manufacturing, integration, and test to company site.
• Oversee system integration across airframe, avionics, propulsion, and autonomy software.
• Lead test planning, readiness reviews, and airworthiness activities.
• Advise leadership on risk, cost, schedule, and integration strategy.

Skills

Technical leadership

UAS integration

System architecture

Design authority coordination

Manufacturing transition

Test & verification

Airworthiness knowledge

Configuration management

OEM interface

Gov't engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Systems Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

MBSE

Digital engineering tools

ICD development

Job description

Hawthorn Aero in Dayton, OH seeks a Principal UAS Integration Engineer to lead the integration of a third-party UAS into production, test, and field environments for U.S. War programs. The role combines hands-on execution with top-level oversight as programs scale.

The position emphasizes system architecture, OEM engagement, and manufacturing transitions, with airworthiness, verification, and risk management at its core. A government clearance is required.