Principal System Engineer - UAV Mission Systems

Job Purpose

System Requirements & Architecture

• Define and manage system-level requirements for avionics and/or mission systems including navigation, communication, sensor payloads, datalinks, electronic warfare, and ISR components.
• Develop system architecture and interface control documents (ICDs) for integration of avionics, autopilot, mission computers, and sensors.
• Support trade studies for avionics and payload selection based on mission needs, weight, power, and data throughput constraints.
• Develop System Safety Assessments starting with FHA, FMEA and PSA, supporting the safety engineers in parallel.
• Ensure the that requirement definition, design processes, verification and integration for custom developed systems are in place (ADASI side and/or supplier side)
• Prepare related design verification documents including system DDPs.

Integration, Development & Verification

• Oversee integration of COTS and custom avionics systems including GPS/INS, ADS-B, EO/IR payloads, SIGINT/ELINT modules, tactical radios, and mission computers.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and mechanical teams to ensure system compatibility and integration into the UAV platform.
• Develop Verification & Validation (V&V) plans for avionics and mission subsystems including ground tests, simulation, and flight tests.
• Analyze test data (and telemetry feed, if required) to confirm system behavior meets requirements under various mission scenarios.

Compliance, Safety & Documentation

• Ensure system designs adhere to aerospace and defense standards such as SAE ARP 4754, SAE ARP 4761, DO-178C, DO-254, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, and GCAA/MoD regulatory requirements.
• Support airworthiness and cybersecurity compliance through risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and reports on system design assurance status.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation including requirement specifications, safety assessments, test plans, integration reports, and configuration records.

Cross-Functional Support & Technical Leadership

• Participate in technical reviews (e.g. SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, QR) and contribute to design decisions that influence platform-level performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with GCS, flight control, electrical, software, and payload teams to ensure end-to-end functionality.
• Support operational teams during system integration, mission preparation, and in-field troubleshooting.

Educational Background

• Bachelor’s Degree in Avionics Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline
• Master’s Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering specializing in Avionics Systems, Mission related equipment, or Systems Engineering

Professional Experience

• Minimum 15+ years of experience in UAV or defense avionics/mission systems engineering.
• Proven track record in integrating avionics and/or mission payloads (e.g., EO/IR, COMINT/SIGINT, radar, LIDAR) on UAV or aerospace platforms.
• Familiar with UAV command & control, payload data processing, and RF communication systems.

Technical Skills

• Competent in avionic system design and integration, hardware and/or software
• Experience in safety critical systems design
• Experience in system design life-cycle and requirement management
• Proficient in systems engineering tools and principles (e.g., DOORS, Polarion, SysML/UML).
• Strong knowledge of avionics data protocols (e.g., ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, Ethernet, RS-422).
• Understanding of RTOS environments (e.g., VxWorks, QNX, embedded Linux) and/or mission software architecture.
• Familiar with simulation, HIL testing, and flight test data analysis.
• Experience with sensor fusion, data link integration, and real-time mission data processing systems.
• Strong knowledge and experience in system development life cycle management
• Familiar with system safety and certification & qualification process
• Knowledge of environmental qualification and EMI&EMC compliance
• Capable of technical management/monitoring of supplier design activities

Preferred Certifications And Experience

• INCOSE ASEP or CSEP
• DO-178C / DO-254 training or certification
• + Oversee integration of COTS and custom avionics systems including GPS/INS, ADS-B, EO/IR payloads, SIGINT/ELINT modules, tactical radios, and mission computers.
• + Collaborate with hardware, software, and mechanical teams to ensure system compatibility and integration into the UAV platform.
• + Develop Verification & Validation (V&V) plans for avionics and mission subsystems including ground tests, simulation, and flight tests.
• + Analyze test data (and telemetry feed, if required) to confirm system behavior meets requirements under various mission scenarios.

• Compliance, Safety & Documentation

• Cross-Functional Support & Technical Leadership