EV.Careers is seeking a full-time, direct-hire Drone Development Engineer for one of our partners building a new generation of autonomous industrial drones, robots that take on the dull, dangerous, and dirty work at height so people can stay safely on the ground. In this hands-on role, you will own drone platforms end to end, from back-of-the-napkin concept through prototyping, testing, and full production, working shoulder to shoulder with a small cross-disciplinary engineering team. This is a high-ownership builder role at a fast-growing company serving commercial and government customers, with room to grow into broader technical leadership as the organization scales.
Responsibilities
- Own the full development lifecycle of drone platforms: concept, prototyping, testing, qualification, and transition to production.
- Own the mechanical design of components and assemblies, and integrate those designs with electronics, sensors, actuators, and wiring.
- Optimize designs for weight and performance within tight UAS weight limits, and select flight-ready, compliance-ready components such as motors and batteries.
- Provide hands-on technical leadership and mentor fellow engineers across mechanical, electrical, software, and systems disciplines.
- Stand up and improve engineering processes: version control, documentation, design standards, and engineering-change workflows.
- Partner with manufacturing and supply chain to drive design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for testability (DFT).
- Create detailed CAD models, drawings, and manufacturing documentation, and support technical reviews, risk assessments, and root-cause work.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field.
- 7+ years of hands-on engineering experience designing mechanical systems for robotics, drones, or electromechanical products.
- Demonstrated experience taking at least one drone or hardware product from back-of-the-napkin concept all the way to full production.
- Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, Fusion 360, or similar) and a strong grasp of DFM / DFA and common fabrication methods (machining, 3D printing, sheet metal, plastics, carbon fiber).
- US citizenship (required for the company’s government and defense related work).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience taking a UAV or drone platform to production, especially one fielded for or sold to government or defense customers.
- Hands-on experience building, modifying, or integrating drones or aerial robotics systems, ideally small or industrial UAS in the sub-55-pound class.
- Comfort integrating electronics into mechanical designs (sensors, actuators, PCBs, wiring) and supporting electronics bring-up and troubleshooting.
- Experience working with contract manufacturers and moving prototypes into production.
- Technical leadership or mentoring experience.
- Familiarity with FAA, CE, or other UAV regulatory standards (FAA Part 107 can be obtained after hire).
Benefits
- High ownership and autonomy in a fast-paced environment, with the chance to design, build, and ship real robotics hardware.
- Exposure to the full hardware development lifecycle and room to grow into broader technical leadership as the team scales.
- Competitive compensation, 401(k) with company contributions, and paid healthcare including telehealth and counseling.
- On-site role in the Southeast U.S.; relocation support available for the right candidate.
