Principal System Engineer – UAV Mission Systems

The Systems Engineer – UAV Avionics / Mission Systems is responsible for the design, integration, validation, and lifecycle management of core avionics and/or mission-specific systems for ADASI’s UAV platforms. This role ensures all electronic, control, and mission payload systems are developed and integrated to meet operational, performance, safety, and regulatory requirements. The engineer will support requirements engineering, architecture definition, system validation, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the development lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications & Experience

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

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