UAS Combustion Engine Systems
On-siteMadison, Alabama, United States
Job Summary
Lead design, analysis, and continuous improvement of two-stroke UAV engines, including fuel systems, ignition, cooling, and induction/exhaust tuning. Own root-cause investigations for engine issues identified in test or the field and manage engineering change requests through the full approval cycle. Develop and execute test plans for endurance, environmental, and altitude/thermal qualification while defining and tracking reliability metrics across the engine fleet. Collaborate with airframe, avionics, and manufacturing teams to ensure engine integration meets platform-level requirements and provide technical support to production and field service teams. Identify, qualify, and manage engine and component suppliers, including source inspections and incoming quality requirements. Balance power density, fuel efficiency, weight, and reliability trade-offs specific to UAV operating envelopes and mission profiles. Maintain engineering documentation and prepare technical substantiation for customer and regulatory review.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- 7+ years of experience in internal combustion engine design, development, or sustaining engineering
- Direct hands-on experience with two-stroke engines
- Demonstrated experience taking an engine or engine component through a qualification or certification process
- Experience managing suppliers or vendors for critical mechanical components
- Working knowledge of reliability engineering principles (FMEA, root-cause analysis, MTBF/MTBUR)
- Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks or equivalent) and engineering documentation/PLM systems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing technical reports and customer-facing documentation
- U.S. Citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with UAV/UAS propulsion systems or other small, high-cycle, weight-constrained engine applications
- Familiarity with military airworthiness or certification standards (e.g., MIL-HDBK-516, AS9100 quality systems)
- Experience with engine test cell design, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems
- Background supporting DoD or government aerospace programs
- Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline
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