UAV Engineer

Sine Engineering; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and personal days

Health, dental, 401(k) plans

Cross-border collaboration with Europe

Job summary

Sine Engineering seeks an experienced UAV Engineer to assemble custom UAV hardware, prototype systems, and support field operations. You will collaborate with teams in the United States and Europe, applying hands-on electrical and mechanical skills, including 3D printing and CAD work.

The role emphasizes rapid prototyping, detailed documentation, and effective communication with remote teams to advance UAV platform integration and testing.

Qualifications

• Soldering skills including SMD; BGA a strong plus.
• Experience assembling and debugging hardware prototypes.
• Solid understanding of fundamental electronic components and UAV hardware.
• Familiarity with 3D printing and basic CAD workflows.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, solder, and wire up low-voltage UAV hardware.
• Perform board-level diagnostics, component replacement, and hardware repairs.
• Build cable harnesses and ensure clean electrical integration.
• Use measurement and diagnostic tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers.
• Operate and maintain FDM 3D printers; assist with basic CAD adjustments.
• Build and iterate mechanical mounts, brackets, and enclosures.
• Perform precise mechanical fitting, drilling, trimming, and hardware installation.
• Support rapid prototyping and hardware troubleshooting for UAV platforms.
• Communicate with remote engineering and pilot teams for alignment.

Skills

Soldering (SMD/BGA)

Diagnostics tools

Hardware prototyping

Electronics fundamentals

3D printing

Education

Tools

Fusion 360

3D printing

Multimeter

Oscilloscope

Spectrum Analyzer

Job description

Sine Engineering builds the technology behind reliable drone autonomy- communications, navigation, and control systems that enable coordinated multi-drone operations at scale. More than 200 UAV manufacturers rely on our technologies, and our solutions power many of the interceptor operations active today. Through our dual-use platform, we support civilian innovation while helping democratic nations strengthen their technological advantage.

Any drone. Any scale. Anywhere.

Resilient communication, navigation, and coordination systems built for the age of autonomy.

We are seeking a qualified UAV Engineer to contribute to our integration initiatives in the United States. This position entails the assembly of custom hardware for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the construction of prototypes, the provision of support for field operations, and the maintenance of essential technical infrastructure. The selected candidate will work closely with engineering and flight teams located in both the United States and Eastern Europe, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and expertise. The ideal applicant will possess a strong combination of electrical and mechanical skills, along with experience in 3D printing and electronics assembly. This role is especially suited for individuals who have a passion for problem-solving in both field and laboratory settings.

Responsibilities:

• Assemble, solder, and wire up low-voltage UAV hardware (including SMD components)
• Perform board-level diagnostics, component replacement, and hardware repairs
• Build cable harnesses and ensure clean electrical integration
• Use measurement and diagnostic tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers
• Operate and maintain FDM 3D printers; assist with basic CAD adjustments
• Build and iterate mechanical mounts, brackets, and enclosures
• Perform precise mechanical fitting, drilling, trimming, and hardware installation
• Support rapid prototyping and hardware troubleshooting for UAV platforms
• Maintain organization of tools, consumables, and workshop inventory
• Assist in preparing UAV hardware for integration and field tests
• Communicate with remote engineering and pilot teams in Europe for technical alignment

Skills and Experience:

• Confident soldering skills, including SMD; experience with BGA is a strong plus
• Familiarity with diagnostic equipment (multimeter, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer)
• Experience assembling and debugging hardware prototypes
• Solid understanding of fundamental electronic components (resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors) and their role in UAV system hardware.

Mechanical & Fabrication

• Familiar with 3D printing and basic CAD workflows (Fusion 360 or similar)
• Experience working with UAV airframes, brackets, and mounting systems
• Comfortable working hands-on with mechanical and electrical assemblies

Workflow & Communication

• Comfortable working with minimal supervision
• Able to clearly document setups, wiring, mechanical changes
• Proactive in communicating blockers and status with remote teams
• Strong attention to detail and responsibility in technical tasks

Nice to Have

• UAV or robotics background (hobby or professional)
• Familiarity with multirotor and fixed-wing systems
• Experience setting up ground stations, power distribution, VTX, telemetry
• Ability to suggest and implement design improvements in hardware setups
• Ability to operate UAVs would be advantageous

Location

• Vacation: You will be eligible for 15 days of paid vacation and 5 personal/sick days per year, accruing on a pro-rata basis from your Start Date.
• Health & Insurance: You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s standard benefit plans (health, dental, 401(k), etc.) in accordance with the terms of those plans.
• All benefits are subject to the terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements of the applicable benefit plans, which may be amended or terminated by the Company at any time.

Join our dynamic team and help shape the future of UAV technology by bridging the gap between advanced engineering and customer success.