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Swift Engineering · 12 hours ago

UAV Aerospace System Engineer

San Clemente, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$150K/yr - $170K/yr

10+ years exp

Swift Engineering is seeking a highly capable UAV Aerospace Engineer to lead the architectural design and system-level integration of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. The role requires deep technical expertise in autonomous flight systems and involves collaboration across multidisciplinary teams while providing technical leadership to a high-performance engineering team.

Aerospace

Hiring Manager

Daniela Bublik, MBA

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

Qualification

Autonomous flight systemsUAV system integrationAutopilot architecturesMatlab/SimulinkSolidWorksHigh-Altitude Platform SystemsAnalytical skillsCommunication skillsProblem-solving skills

Required

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

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

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.