UAV Aerospace System Engineer Job at Swift Engineering, San Clemente, CA

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  • Swift Engineering
  • San Clemente, CA

Job Description

We are seeking a highly capable UAV Aerospace Engineer to lead the architectural design and system-level integration of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. This role requires deep technical expertise in autonomous flight systems and close collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. Experience with High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) is strongly desired.

The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with leadership ability and a systems-thinking mindset.

Salary Range : $150,000 annually to $170,000 annually

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the architectural and system-level design of fixed-wing UAV platform
  • Define and integrate autonomous flight systems, including autopilot, navigation, and mission logic
  • Oversee aircraft performance, configuration, and trade studies (aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, power)
  • Collaborate closely with avionics, software, RF, operations, manufacturing, and test teams
  • Provide technical leadership to a small, high-performance engineering team
  • Support flight test planning, execution, and post-flight analysis
  • Interface with internal stakeholders and external partners as needed
  • Contribute to system documentation, requirements definition, and design reviews
  • Support field operations and customer engagements, including travel as required

Requirements

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
  • Strong understanding of autonomous systems and control with 10+ years experience
  • Experience with autopilot architectures
  • Familiarity with Ground Control Stations (GCS)
  • Understanding of radio systems and RF operations
  • Experience with UAV system integration and flight operations
  • Experience with Matlab/Simulink and SolidWork
  • Ability to work effectively across multiple teams and disciplines
  • Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Engineering or Physics
  • Experience with High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) or long-endurance UAVs
  • Background in aircraft conceptual or preliminary design
  • Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams
  • Familiarity with regulatory, safety, and operational constraints for UAVs

Travel

Up to 20% travel anticipated for testing, integration, and coordination activities

What we Offer

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge UAV and HAPS platforms
  • High-impact technical leadership role with real system ownership
  • Collaborative, mission-driven engineering environment

Benefits

  • 9/80 Schedule
  • Health Insurance
  • Vision Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
  • Dental Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
  • Life Insurance - 100% covered by Swift, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
  • 401k with company match
  • Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
  • 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
  • Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.

Job Tags

Full time,

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