UAV Engineer

Overview

SRI’s Bright Ceramic Technologies (BCT) develops, applies, and commercializes advanced-material technologies, bringing together engineering, fabrication, and system integration at our Palo Alto, California facility. We are expanding our team to translate urgent DoW mission needs into fieldable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) capabilities that support U.S. forces and approved allied partners.

We are seeking a hands-on UAV Engineer who wants to build, fly, solve problems, and see their work move beyond the laboratory into operational use. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute throughout the design–build–integrate–test–fly–deliver cycle, gaining exposure to multiple projects, advanced materials, avionics, and mission payloads. This opportunity offers meaningful technical ownership and the ability to broaden your expertise while using flight-test results and operator feedback to deliver reliable, practical capabilities for demanding missions.

This position is onsite in Palo Alto, California, with travel to remote flight-test locations and Government test sites.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, assemble, and modify UAV prototypes and supporting mechanical systems, taking concepts from initial development through flight testing and delivery.

• Program and configure autopilots and integrate avionics, navigation, communications, power systems, actuators, and ground-control systems.

• Integrate and test advanced-technology payloads, resolving mechanical, electrical, and software interface issues.

• Plan and conduct ground checks, system verification, and developmental flight testing, including UAV piloting and field support at remote locations and Government test sites.

• Troubleshoot aircraft and subsystem performance, analyze test data, and incorporate operator feedback into subsequent design and integration improvements.

• Develop engineering drawings and prototype build plans; coordinate fabrication and work with vendors and internal manufacturing teams.

• Maintain accurate configuration records, test documentation, and operating procedures to support repeatable builds, safe testing, and customer delivery.

• Collaborate with engineering specialists and program personnel to develop modular configurations that accommodate approved allied partners’ avionics, electronics, and mission equipment.

• Take extreme ownership of assigned technical work while balancing rapid iteration, changing requirements, flight safety, and engineering discipline

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s with at least 3 years of experience or Master’s with at least 1 year of experience in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.

• U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance

• Demonstrated hands-on experience building, assembling, integrating, troubleshooting, and flying UAVs or radio-controlled aircraft

• Working knowledge of aerodynamic design, mechanical engineering, materials, and system-integration principles

• Experience programming or configuring autopilots and integrating aircraft hardware, electronics, or supporting software

• Proficiency with mechanical prototyping, fabrication and assembly tools, and 3D CAD software; SolidWorks experience is preferred

• Ability to interpret experimental and flight-test data, identify problems, and communicate design rationale, results, and corrective actions clearly

• Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team, take ownership of technical challenges, and meet evolving project deadlines

• Ability to perform hands-on laboratory, assembly, and outdoor flight-test activities, including aircraft setup, inspection, and recovery, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Willingness and ability to travel to remote locations and Government test sites

Desired skills:

• Current active Top Secret Clearance

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot license

• Active UAV or radio-controlled aircraft hobbyist experience, including independently designing, building, modifying, repairing, or flying aircraft.

• Relevant personal projects and build portfolios are encouraged.

• Experience with fixed-wing UAVs, advanced payload integration, rapid prototyping, composite fabrication, or transition from prototypes to repeatable manufacturing.

• Experience coordinating vendors, supporting Government flight-test activities, or working directly with operational users.

• Relevant active-duty military experience, including service in one of the following specialties: 15X, 15C, 15W, 15M/15E, 150U, NEC 8361, NEC 8364, AFSC 1U0X1, AFSC 11UX, MOS 7314, MOS 7316, or MOS 7315.

The salary range is: $90,580-$120,020. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/. SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For almost 80 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.

Background Check

Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment will be subject to a background check.

EOE/AA

SRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

At SRI

We value different identities, perspectives and experiences. An inclusive working environment that nurtures a culture of belonging strengthens our ability to create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future.

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Job Locations US-CA-Palo Alto

ID 2026-6544

Category Engineering

Position Type Full-Time

Worker Type On-Site