Senior UAS Engineer

Job Title: Senior UAS Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a UAS Engineer to lead the development of autonomous multirotor and fixed-wing aircraft for defense applications. This role involves owning the flight software development, platform integration, autonomous behaviors, and the execution of flight test programs. The position requires taking UAS platforms from concept through integration, flight testing, and iterative improvements while serving as a technical mentor to junior engineering staff.

Responsibilities

• Develop, configure, and tune ArduPilot/PX4 flight control software.

• Implement custom flight modes, autonomous behaviors, and mission profiles.

• Integrate sensors (GPS, IMU, barometer, optical systems) into flight controllers.

• Develop and validate terminal guidance approaches for intercept applications.

• Lead airframe integration, including avionics, propulsion, and payloads.

• Manage UAS development from prototype to production-representative systems.

• Oversee COTS component selection, integration, and performance validation.

• Create and maintain ICDs, wiring diagrams, and technical data packages.

• Plan and execute flight test programs, including necessary safety documentation.

• Conduct HITL simulation and ground testing.

• Analyze flight data for troubleshooting and performance optimization.

• Establish and maintain test infrastructure, tools, and procedures.

• Mentor junior engineers and lead small engineering project teams.

• Provide risk analysis, schedule inputs, and trade studies for program management.

• Interface with customers and partners regarding technical requirements and milestones.

• Support proposals, white papers, and technical documentation.

Essential Skills

• Significant hands-on experience with UAS flight software and autonomy.

• Strong experience with ArduPilot and/or PX4.

• Experience supporting flight test programs (planning, execution, data analysis).

• Hardware/software integration experience with multirotor and fixed-wing UAS.

• Experience in defense-focused guided systems.

• Proposal writing and leadership development.

• HITL test environment expertise.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting DoD or government UAS programs.

• Expertise operating in HITL/SITL test environments.

• Experience with defense-focused guidance systems (terminal guidance, intercept behaviors).

• Experience contributing to proposals, white papers, program estimates, or trade studies.

• Leadership experience-mentoring junior engineers and technical team leadership.

Work Environment

This position is 100% onsite in Madison Heights, MI, working with a small, highly technical engineering team in a fast-paced defense prototype and development environment. Collaboration with engineering leadership and program management is vital. Travel is rare and minimal. You will work on mission-critical defense systems supporting U.S. warfighters in a high-impact technical leadership role with ownership of major UAS programs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison Heights, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $72.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Madison Heights,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Feb 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email [email protected] (%[email protected]) for other accommodation options.