Senior UAV Systems Engineer — Autopilot & Airframe Integration

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

Job summary

Flagship Pioneering in Boulder, CO is seeking a UAS Systems Integration Engineer II to advance our fixed-wing UAV platform. You will drive the architecture of the autopilot stack, airframe integration, and C2 link from prototype to field-ready deployment in challenging international environments.

The role blends firmware, electronics, and airframe design in a small team, requiring end-to-end systems thinking, hands-on hardware work, and strong documentation to support scalable growth of our

Qualifications

• BS or MS in aerospace, electrical, mechanical engineering or computer science.
• Hands-on hardware/software systems integration experience required.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python with ArduPilot/PX4 experience.
• Familiarity with MAVLink, autopilot tooling, and flight-test workflows.

Responsibilities

• Configure and tune autopilot firmware for fixed-wing airframes, including PID and failsafe logic.
• Read, modify ArduPilot/PX4 code to extend autopilot capabilities and fix issues.
• Design and iterate airframes for payload, endurance, and resilience.
• Support flight-test campaigns with preflight checks, ground stations, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and validate C2 link architecture, RF budgets, and spectrum compliance for BVLOS.
• Create ground station software and UIs for mission planning and post-flight analysis.
• Integrate science payloads and sensors ensuring data integrity and electrical compatibility.
• Analyze flight logs to diagnose issues and drive reliability improvements.
• Document designs and test results to build a scalable engineering knowledge base.

Skills

System integration

Firmware and avionics

End-to-end architecture

Documentation

Hands-on hardware

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in relevant field

Tools

C++

Python

ArduPilot

PX4

MAVLink

GCS tooling

Job description

Flagship Pioneering in Boulder, CO is seeking a UAS Systems Integration Engineer II to advance our fixed-wing UAV platform. You will drive the architecture of the autopilot stack, airframe integration, and C2 link from prototype to field-ready deployment in challenging international environments.

The role blends firmware, electronics, and airframe design in a small team, requiring end-to-end systems thinking, hands-on hardware work, and strong documentation to support scalable growth of our