Drone Hardware Integration Engineer

Level: Senior (individual contributor)· 

Focus: Full-stack hardware + flight stack integration (ArduPilot / Betaflight) 

Location: On-site (lab / hangar)

About the role

We're looking for an experienced hardware engineer to own end-to-end flight-control hardware integration across a diverse fleet of drones — from FPV quads to larger autonomous multirotor, fixed-wing, and VTOL platforms. You'll be the person who takes a new airframe from a pile of components to a tuned, flight-ready system: selecting and wiring the flight controller, flashing and configuring ArduPilot or Betaflight, integrating ESCs, sensors, radios, power, and payloads, and tuning it until it flies cleanly.

This is a hands-on, on-site role based in our lab/hangar, spanning the full range from quick R&D prototypes to repeatable production builds. You'll be the hardware integration expert for the team, working independently and setting the standard for how builds are configured, documented, and validated. Success looks like new platforms reaching reliable, flight-ready status quickly — and builds that stay consistent and reproducible from one unit to the next.

What you'll do

• Own end-to-end hardware integration of flight-control systems across multiple platform types (multirotor, fixed-wing, VTOL, FPV).
• Select, flash, configure, and tune ArduPilot (Copter / Plane / Rover) and Betaflight; build and maintain custom firmware targets and board definitions where needed.
• Integrate and validate flight controllers, ESCs, and motors — including protocol setup (DShot / bidirectional DShot, PWM / OneShot), motor–prop matching, and thrust testing.
• Bring up and calibrate full sensor suites: IMUs, barometers, compasses/magnetometers, GPS/RTK, rangefinders, optical flow, and airspeed sensors.
• Integrate RC and telemetry links (ExpressLRS, TBS Crossfire, CRSF / SBUS, MAVLink, SiK radios) and FPV/video systems (analog and digital VTX, OSD, cameras, antennas).
• Spec, assemble, and wire power systems — distribution, regulation, current/voltage sensing, and battery selection — with clean, reliable harnesses.
• Integrate smart peripherals over CAN / DroneCAN and companion computers (Raspberry Pi / Jetson) over MAVLink.
• Diagnose vibration, noise, and EMI issues and implement fixes (soft-mounting, gyro/notch filtering, grounding, shielding).
• Run bench, ground, and flight tests; analyze logs (Mission Planner / MAVExplorer, Betaflight Blackbox) and iterate on PID and filter tuning.
• Root-cause failures and design for reliability — diagnose in-flight and bench anomalies, build in redundancy where it matters, and harden platforms to hold up in real-world field conditions.
• Take platforms from quick R&D prototypes through to repeatable, well-documented production builds — locking in configurations and processes that stay consistent across units.
• Document build configurations, wiring, and setup procedures, and support/upskill the team so they can operate and iterate independently.

• Work closely with the software, mechanical, and flight-test teams to integrate cleanly and resolve hardware–software issues together.

   

What we're looking for

• Hands-on experience integrating and configuring ArduPilot and/or Betaflight on real hardware.
• Strong working knowledge of drone subsystems: flight controllers, ESCs, motors, sensors, RC links, power, and FPV.
• Comfortable with soldering, wiring, and general benchtop debugging (multimeter, bench power supply).
• Solid grasp of the relevant protocols: DShot, CRSF / SBUS, MAVLink, I2C / SPI / UART, and ideally CAN / DroneCAN.
• Experience tuning multirotor and/or fixed-wing platforms and reading flight logs to track down problems.
• Able to work independently and own a hardware domain from first component to flight-ready system.
• Comfortable switching between fast prototype iteration and the repeatability that production builds demand.
• Typically 4+ years in drone/UAV hardware, robotics, or embedded systems.

• Degree in electrical, aerospace, mechatronics, or robotics engineering — or equivalent hands-on experience.

   

Nice to have

• Writing custom ArduPilot board definitions (hwdef) or Betaflight targets, and compiling firmware from source.
• Familiarity with PCB design (KiCad / Altium) is a welcome bonus — but we treat full board design as a separate specialty, so it's not expected for this role.
• RTK GPS and precision navigation, lidar, or computer-vision payload integration.
• Breadth across airframe types — VTOL, large industrial, or agricultural platforms.
• Familiarity with the drone and aviation regulations that apply in the role's region.
• Comfortable with 3D printing and rapid prototyping for custom mounts, frames, and fixtures.

Tools & technologies you'll work with

• Firmware / stacks: ArduPilot, Betaflight
• Flight controllers: Pixhawk / Cube, Holybro, Matek, SpeedyBee, Kakute (STM32 F4 / F7 / H7)
• Ground stations: Mission Planner, QGroundControl, Betaflight Configurator
• Protocols: MAVLink, DShot, CRSF, SBUS, DroneCAN / CAN, I2C / SPI / UART
• RC / telemetry: ExpressLRS, TBS Crossfire, SiK radios
• ESC firmware: common ESC firmware and configuration tools
• Bench: Soldering station, multimeter, bench power supply

What we offer

• Competitive salary, set to experience
• A fully equipped lab and a budget for the gear, tools, and parts you need
• Health coverage, paid time off, and the standard benefits
• Room to grow your skills and shape how the team builds

Full compensation details are shared early in the process.

About us

We design and build drones across a range of platforms and applications, and we care about getting the hardware right. You'd be joining a hands-on team that puts real aircraft in the air and values engineers who can own their work from the bench to the flight line.

How to apply

To apply, send your resume along with anything that shows your work — builds you've integrated, logs or tuning you're proud of, repos, or flight videos. We'd love to see what you've put in the air.