UAS Chief Engineer- Additive Manufacturing
Tampa, Florida, United States · Posted 4 months agoDescription
The UAS Chief Engineer provides technical leadership, strategic direction, and execution oversight for the design, development, integration, and sustainment of advanced additively manufacturing unmanned systems. This role is responsible for end-to-end system engineering across air, ground, maritime, and/or multi-domain unmanned platforms, ensuring mission effectiveness, survivability, cybersecurity resilience, and compliance with applicable defense standards and regulations. The Chief Engineer serves as the primary technical authority for their assigned platform or product area, guiding cross-functional engineering teams, aligning technical roadmaps with customer requirements, and ensuring delivery of high-performance, secure, and reliable systems within cost and schedule constraints. This position works closely with government stakeholders, program management, operations, and executive leadership.
Essential Functions
- Provide overall technical leadership for additive manufactured unmanned system development programs, from concept through deployment and sustainment.
- Serve as the technical authority for system architecture, design trade studies, integration strategies, and risk management.
- Research and drive advancements in designs centered around additive manufacturing of UAS across the portfolio
- Lead system engineering processes including requirements development, decomposition, verification, validation, and configuration management.
- Oversee multidisciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, software, controls, AI/ML, autonomy, communications, cybersecurity, and systems engineering).
- Develop and maintain technical roadmaps aligned with defense customer needs and emerging operational requirements.
- Ensure compliance with applicable DoD standards, MIL-STDs, airworthiness/safety certifications, cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., RMF), and export regulations (e.g., ITAR/EAR).
- Direct integration of autonomy, navigation, sensors, communications, propulsion, and payload systems into cohesive, mission-ready platforms.
- Lead major technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PRR), ensuring readiness and program maturity at each phase.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks related to reliability, survivability, resilience, and mission performance.
- Support proposal development, customer briefings, and technical strategy discussions with government and defense partners.
- Foster innovation in autonomy, AI-enabled decision-making, resilient communications, and human-machine teaming.
- Mentor senior engineering staff and establish best practices in additive manufacturing, systems engineering, and product development.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Standard Essential Functions
- Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
- Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
- Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.
Qualifications and Competencies
- Security Clearance-Ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret/SCI DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.
- Demonstrated expertise in complex systems engineering for unmanned or autonomous defense systems.
- Extensive knowledge in additive manufacturing of UAS systems; composites, polymers, metals.
- Strong working knowledge of DfX principles; Design for Manufacturability, Procurement, Testability, Modularity, Cost.
- Strong knowledge of platform integration across hardware, embedded systems, software, autonomy, and communications.
- Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary technical teams in a regulated defense environment.
- Deep understanding of systems architecture, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), and lifecycle management.
- Familiarity with defense acquisition processes and government contracting environments.
- Working knowledge of cybersecurity requirements for defense systems, including secure communications and resilient architectures.
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to senior defense stakeholders.
- Understand of supply chain as it relates to autonomous systems development, rapid production scaling and design for manufacturing.
Education / Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field required.
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related field preferred.
Experience
- 15+ years of progressive engineering experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, or autonomous systems development.
- 10+ years of experience with progressive technical experience in engineering roles, with a proven track record of technical design and development
- 7+ years in senior technical leadership roles (e.g., Lead Engineer, Chief Engineer, Technical Director, or equivalent).
- 7+ years in senior technical engineering roles centered around additive manufacturing principles, programs, and execution
- Demonstrated experience leading at least one full lifecycle unmanned or autonomous system development program.
- Experience interfacing directly with DoD customers, prime contractors, and/or government program offices.
- Background in integrating sensors, navigation systems, propulsion systems, C2 systems, autonomy software, or mission payloads into operational platforms.
- Experience with test and evaluation planning, field demonstrations, and operational deployment support.
- Experience with manufacturing technologies that enable rapid development, test and demonstration of capabilities.
- Experience with safety-critical systems and applicable certification standards.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is: Frequently required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.
About AEVEX
AEVEX, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering; rapid prototyping; sensor integration and sustainment; aircraft modification and certification; flight test instrumentation and support; mission operations service; advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions; and tailored hardware and software mission-system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the U.S. Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.
AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
AEVEX is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
Similar jobs
Est. 115,000 USD
Job Overview We are a high-paced and agile manufacturing organization that is growing rapidly. We are searching for a multi-faceted production and manufacturing engineer. We are looking for someone who understands formal…
Est. 185,000 USD
The VP, Business Development Special Programs is a senior executive responsible for driving revenue generation, pipeline development, and strategic market expansion for a cutting-edge defense company specializing in unma…
Est. 124,000 USD
Work ArrangementOnsite, up to 25% CONUS and OCONUS travel Job OverviewThe Sr Project Engineer will be expected to lead internal execution of Engineering Project deliverables for Unmanned Aerial System with a strong sense…
Est. 115,000 USD
Work ArrangementOnsite with occasional travel. Job OverviewSr. Aeromechanical Engineers work to solve the nation's hardest problems through rapidly deployed technology solutions. Are you an aerospace or mechanical engine…
Est. 124,000 USD
Work Arrangement Onsite in Tampa, FL Job Overview A Senior Systems Engineer leads projects related to creating system architecture, develops and defines system and product requirements, defines methods for verifying comp…
Est. 115,000 USD
Security Clearance• Active Top Secret DoD clearance preferred, U.S. Citizenship required. Work ArrangementOnsite with occasional travel. Job OverviewSr. Aeromechanical Engineers work to solve the nation's hardest problem…
Est. 140,000 USD
Work ArrangementOnsite role at the Tampa, FL Office with potential travel to testing sites as needed. Periods of development may require long irregular hours around deadlines, weekends, and some holidays and in-field tes…
Est. 144,000 USD
Work ArrangementOnsite with occasional travel. Periods of development may require long irregular hours around deadlines, which can include weekends some holidays. Job OverviewThe Principal Aeromechanical Engineer is resp…
Est. 128,350 USD
As the Sr. Executive Assistant, you will provide high-level administrative support to the members of the AEVEX Executive Team. You will be responsible for managing executive schedules, coordinating communications, schedu…
Est. 115,000 USD
Work ArrangementThis is an onsite position. Job OverviewThe Electrical Engineer 3 position plays a crucial role in designing, developing, and maintaining electrical systems, components, and leading larger projects. As a…
Est. 95,000 USD
Work ArrangementThis is a full-time, on-site position with a waterfall schedule and shift work. Possibility of CONUS/OCONUS deployments. Job Overview This position serves as an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Pilot in Com…
Est. 85,000 USD
Job Overview Position primarily functions as Pilot in Command (PIC) or Mission Commander on unmanned aircraft for a Department of Defense national, theater, operational or tactical level customer. The AVO is responsible…
Est. 85,000 USD
Please note that while we are currently only accepting applications for this opportunity, we will not be hiring for this position until the near future. Your application will be kept on file, and you may be contacted whe…
Est. 95,000 USD
Job Overview The Quality Engineer primarily focuses on quality planning efforts during the development and design phases of the product life cycle. This individual will establish the baseline for project quality objectiv…
Est. 135,650 USD
The Program Manager, Business Operations leads cross-functional initiatives that improve operational efficiency, enhance organizational performance, and support strategic business objectives. This role manages large, com…
Est. 62,000 USD
Job Overview The Quality Control Inspector 2 is responsible for assisting with ensuring the integrity, safety, and compliance of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and sub-systems. Operating within a dynamic production enviro…
Est. 115,000 USD
Work ArrangementThis is an onsite position with required domestic travel up to 25%. Job OverviewThis is a Flight Test Engineer (FTE) position for UAS development testing and designing of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS),…
Est. 85,000 USD
Work Arrangement This is an full-time onsite position, five days per week. Two shift operations supporting a flying schedule for flight test and training events. Job OverviewAEVEX Aerospace is seeking an Aircraft Mechani…
Est. 60,000 USD
Job Overview An Aircraft Integration Technician 2 is responsible for assisting with the installation, integration, and testing of avionics systems and components in aircraft. They work closely with engineers and other te…
Est. 55,000 USD
Job Overview An Aircraft Integration Technician is responsible for assisting with the installation, integration, and testing of avionics systems and components in aircraft. They work closely with engineers and other tech…
Est. 140,000 USD
Work ArrangementThis is an onsite position with 25% required travel. Job OverviewThe senior Director of Supply Chain Management (SCM) is responsible for the strategic leadership, governance, and operational performance o…
Est. 140,000 USD
The Director of Programs for Tactical Systems is responsible for profit and loss across a portfolio of technical development and/or production programs. This role provides strategic leadership to a multidisciplined team,…
Est. 95,000 USD
Essential Functions: Provide technical expertise to aid in the generation of system requirements and associated support documentation. Manage contract details for the office, including funding and value mods. Independent…
Est. 55,000 USD
Job Overview AEVEX is seeking a Logistics Driver (CDL) responsible for the safe, timely, and compliant transportation of materials, components, and finished products between company facilities, suppliers, and customer lo…
Est. 115,000 USD
Job Overview The Material Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the procurement and supply of materials needed for a project or program, ensuring that materials are available on time, within budget, and according…
Est. 124,000 USD
Job Overview The Senior Test Engineer position includes designing, developing, integrating, and validating automated and manual test systems, as well as embedded diagnostic applications. The role also involves creating a…
Est. 141,450 USD
The Design Engineer 3 at AEVEX Aerospace is engaged in the design of aircraft structural and system modifications using 3D CAD software. Tasks will involve platform modification layouts, preliminary sizing, load path dev…
Est. 74,400 USD
Work Arrangement Onsite with occasional travel. Potential flexibility to accommodate a hybrid arrangement. This position performs functions or is immediately available to perform functions that are considered safety sens…
Est. 55,000 USD
The 3D Printing Technician is responsible for supporting day-to-day additive manufacturing operations in a fast-paced production environment. This role focuses on operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and supporting 3…
Est. 93,500 USD
Work Arrangement This position is onsite, full time. Occasional travel may be required. This position performs functions or is immediately available to perform functions that are considered safety sensitive for the purpo…