About Us

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.

If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.

Culture That Ships

• Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.
• Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.
• One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

What’s In It for You

• Mission With a Pulse. Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.
• Resources Without Red Tape. VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.
• Career-Defining Upside. Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.

About the Role

As a Senior Model Based Systems Engineer at Atropos, you will be pivotal in driving the design, development, testing, and implementation of cutting-edge flight system technologies for our clean sheet uncrewed aerial systems. Atropos relies on a dynamic learning culture that is founded on accelerated knowledge acquisition through modeling, simulation, analysis, and rigorous and frequent ground and flight test experimentation. At Atropos, you will be involved in the full life cycle of the systems you develop.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as system-level SE: derive and allocate requirements, maintain traceability in Cameo and Jama, or like-systems.
• Lead functional hazard analyses (FHA), system safety assessments (SSA), and PSSA.
• Run model-based systems-engineering (MBSE) artifacts in Cameo.
• Coordinate verification matrix and conformity inspections for airworthiness and certifications.
• Act as chief integrator between tech areas.

What You Bring

• B.S./M.S. in Aero, SE, or ME; >7 yrs aircraft systems-engineering leadership.
• Deep familiarity with Government Reference Architectures
• Strong influence skills; can arbitrate competing IPT requirements quickly.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
  

Bonus Points

• INCOSE CSEP or ESEP.
• Prior autonomous or optionally piloted aircraft certification experience.

Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)

Base Salary: $155,000 to 235,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
• 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
• Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
• Daily Lunch catered 
• Company-funded child care stipend 
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!

About Us

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.

If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.

Culture That Ships

• Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.
• Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.
• One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

What’s In It for You

• Mission With a Pulse. Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.
• Resources Without Red Tape. VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.
• Career-Defining Upside. Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.

What You’ll Do

• Lead aerodynamic design, analysis, and wind-tunnel/CFD correlation for a clean-sheet, long-range autonomous air vehicle.
• Optimize planform, airfoil, and high-lift devices to maximize range and payload while meeting survivability constraints.
• Create rapid-iteration tools and templates for sizing trades.
• Collaborate daily with GNC, Flight Controls, and Structures IPTs to mature configuration through CoDR/PDR/CDR.
• Support flight-test envelope expansion and post-flight data reduction.

What You Bring

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent) with ≥ 7 yrs relevant experience.
• Deep expertise in CFD (e.g., SU2, Fluent, OVERFLOW), panel methods, and wind-tunnel test design.
• Demonstrated history of hands-on, first-principles analysis in rapid-development programs.
• Ability to convey complex results to cross-functional audiences.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
  

Bonus Points

• Prior LO (low observables) signature shaping experience.
• Experience coupling aerodynamics with AI-enabled design-of-experiments workflows.

Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)

Base Salary: $195,000 to 255,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
• 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
• Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
• Daily Lunch catered 
• Company-funded child care stipend 
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!

About Us

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.

If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.

Culture That Ships

• Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.
• Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.
• One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

What’s In It for You

• Mission With a Pulse. Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.
• Resources Without Red Tape. VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.
• Career-Defining Upside. Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Scheduler to join our Program Management team and build the heartbeat of our development program. You’ll own the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for our clean-sheet aircraft integrating design, manufacturing, and test activities from concept through first flight. You’ll work hand-in-hand with our engineering, manufacturing, and test leads to translate technical objectives into executable timelines and keep the team aligned on what matters most: delivering on cost, schedule, and performance.

This role is hybrid/Remote to start, with negotiated relocation required to our production facility once the factory is commissioned.

What You’ll Do

• Develop, maintain, and baseline the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) in Microsoft Project across all phases of development.
• Integrate inputs from each Integrated Product Team (IPT) - including Air Vehicle, Mission Systems, and Autonomy - into a single executable plan.
• Perform critical path and “what-if” analysis to evaluate impacts of design and manufacturing decisions.
• Support major program engineering reviews with accurate, traceable schedule data.
• Drive recurring schedule reviews, highlighting key risks, variances, and recovery actions.
• Collaborate with leadership to align schedule objectives with funding profiles and technical milestones.
• Generate schedule reports, metrics, and forecasts for executive review.
• 10%  -25% Travel required.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, project management, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience scheduling complex aerospace development programs.
• Expert proficiency with scheduling toolsets (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira, Asana, etc.) including logic networks, dependencies, and reporting.
• Proven ability to build, maintain, and communicate large-scale IMS baselines for multidisciplinary programs.
• Strong understanding of DoD or FAA development lifecycles and milestone-driven planning.
• Excellent communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Bonus Points

• Experience in start-up, or equivalent fast paced culture
• Experience in end-to-end aircraft development, from design through certification
• Experience with Earned Value Management
• Background in new-start or prototype aircraft or UAV development.
• Familiarity with digital engineering environments (Jama, Teamcenter, or similar).

Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)

Salary Range: 65K-180K 
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
• 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
• Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
• Daily in-person lunch catered 
• Company-funded child care stipend 
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!

About Us

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.

If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.

Culture That Ships

• Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.
• Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.
• One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

What’s In It for You

• Mission With a Pulse. Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.
• Resources Without Red Tape. VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.
• Career-Defining Upside. Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.

What You’ll Do

• Design HV/LV power architecture (28 VDC & 270 VDC), including generation, conversion, and distribution.
• Create wiring diagrams & EWIS bundles per AS50881; run load-flow and failure-mode analysis.
• Ensure compliance with MIL-STD-704,-461, & DO-160G sections 16-19.
• Integrate autonomy compute racks with liquid-cooling or forced-air solutions.
• Support EMI/EMC test campaigns and lightning-indirect effects analysis.

What You Bring

• B.S. EE or similar; >7 yrs aircraft electrical-power-system design.
• CAD experience
• Proven record of integrating air vehicle power conversion and generation
• Proven record solving tricky grounding/noise issues on composite airframes.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
  

Bonus Points

• Experience with high-voltage battery systems or hybrid-electric propulsion.
• DER or ODA UM Experience for EWIS.

Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)

Base Salary: $145,000 to 225,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
• 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
• Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
• Daily Lunch catered 
• Company-funded child care stipend 
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!

About Us

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.

If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.

Culture That Ships

• Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.
• Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.
• One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

What You'll Do

• Own the Propulsion Architecture
  • Lead engine selection and sizing trades
  • Define propulsion system architecture including nacelle, mounts, fuel, controls, and thermal integration
  • Tie propulsion performance to mission modeling and aircraft-level requirements
• Drive Aircraft-Level Integration
  • Lead engine-to-airframe integration across structures, aerodynamics, avionics, and autonomy
  • Define propulsion interfaces and manage integration risks
  • Partner cross-functionally to retire vibration, thermal, and installation risks early
• Lead OEM & Supplier Engagement
  • Serve as primary technical interface with engine OEMs
  • Evaluate performance guarantees, integration constraints, and certification pedigree
  • Ensure long-lead propulsion risks are proactively managed
• Enable Certification & Airworthiness
  • Support FAA and/or military airworthiness compliance strategy
  • Contribute to propulsion-related hazard analyses and safety documentation
  • Help shape the path from experimental testing to certified operations
• Support Test & Validation
  • Define propulsion ground and flight test instrumentation strategies
  • Correlate models with test data
  • Own performance validation against mission requirements

What You’ll Bring

• Deep Propulsion Expertise
  • 10+ years of experience in aircraft propulsion or propulsion integration
  • Experience integrating turboprop and/or small turbofan engines
  • Strong understanding of engine performance, SFC, installation effects, and mission sizing
• Aircraft-Level Systems Thinking
  • Experience leading propulsion integration on a clean-sheet or major derivative program
  • Working knowledge of structural loads, vibration, thermal management, and FADEC integration
  • Comfort operating at aircraft architecture level, not just component level
• Technical Leadership
  • Experience interfacing directly with engine OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers
  • Ability to lead trade studies and defend architecture decisions at design reviews
  • Strong written and verbal technical communication skills
  • Analytical Rigor
  • Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or similar tools
  • Experience correlating analytical models with ground or flight test data

Bonus Points

• FAA Part 23 or Part 25 propulsion certification experience
• Military airworthiness or DoD program experience
• Experience with MBSE tools (e.g., Cameo)
• Experience integrating propulsion with autonomy or unmanned systems
• Flight test support experience

Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)

Base Salary: $165,000 to 245,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
• 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
• Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
• In-Office Daily Lunch catered 
• Company-funded child care stipend 
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!

About Us

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.

If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.

Culture That Ships

• Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.
• Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.
• One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

What’s In It for You

• Mission With a Pulse. Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.
• Resources Without Red Tape. VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.
• Career-Defining Upside. Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.

About the Role

We’re looking for an Avionics Architecture Lead Engineer to own the end-to-end avionics system design for our autonomous aircraft. You will define the architecture, manage key avionics subcontractors, and ensure the system meets FAA certification requirements.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role for a self-starter who can zoom from high-level architecture down into ICD details, test plans, and flight-test findings.

What You’ll Do

• Own the avionics architecture.
  • Define the end-to-end avionics system, including mission computers, navigation, communications, surveillance, and payload interfaces.
    Select network topologies (ARINC 664/AFDX, TSN Ethernet, ARINC 429, CAN, etc.) and define redundancy, partitioning, and data flows.
  • Lead supplier & subcontractor integration.
• Serve as primary technical point of contact for avionics vendors and integrators.
  • Drive SOWs, technical requirements, ICDs, and acceptance criteria.
  • Review vendor designs, safety artifacts, and test results; hold them accountable to cost/schedule/technical performance.
• Ensure FAA airworthiness compliance.
  • Architect the system in accordance with ARP 4754A/4761, DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160, and applicable Part 23/25 guidance.
  • Support System Safety in the development and maintenance system-level requirements, safety analyses (FHA, PSSA, SSA), and certification plans.
• Drive verification & validation.
  • Develop system-level test plans, HIL/LRU integration plans, and test objectives.
  • Work with test and flight teams to triage anomalies, root-cause issues, and feed fixes back into the architecture.
• Collaborate across the stack.
  • Partner with Autonomy, GNC, Flight Controls, and Cyber teams to ensure avionics supports robust, resilient autonomous operations.
  • Communicate clearly with leadership on risk, mitigations, and tradeoffs.

What You Bring

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in avionics systems design and integration on certificated aircraft.
• Proven experience with FAA certification efforts, including hands-on work with some combination of:
  • ARP 4754A / ARP 4761
  • DO-178C (software)
  • DO-254 (hardware)
  • DO-160 environmental testing
  • Part 23 or Part 25 certification projects
• Strong systems engineering fundamentals: requirements development, ICDs, safety analysis, verification planning.
• Demonstrated experience integrating avionics LRUs, networks, and sensors in a lab or flight-test environment.
• Track record of leading and managing subcontractors or vendors—able to push back technically and keep them aligned to mission and schedule.
• Excellent communication skills; comfortable presenting architecture and certification status to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders.
• U.S. Person, eligible to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.

Bonus Points

• Experience with defense-focused avionics or mission systems (Link-16, SATCOM, tactical radios, radar, EO/IR, etc.).
• Prior work on UAS, optionally-piloted, or highly autonomous aircraft.
• Familiarity with GRA, MOSA, or SOSA standards and modular open-systems architectures.
• MBSE experience (SysML, Cameo/MagicDraw) linking avionics design to the broader digital thread.
• FAA DER and/or E-UM Ticket in applicable Airworthiness Standards

Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)

Base Salary: $160,000 to $220,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
• 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
• Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
• In-Office Daily Lunch catered 
• Company-funded child care stipend 
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!

About Us

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.

If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.

Culture That Ships

• Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.
• Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.
• One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

What’s In It for You

• Mission With a Pulse. Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.
• Resources Without Red Tape. VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.
• Career-Defining Upside. Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.

About the Role

This role is for Aircraft Certification Engineers in one of the following areas: Propulsion Systems, Electrical Systems, Mechanical Systems, or Flight Control Systems.

As a key early hire in our Certification Organization, you will help define and execute the certification strategy for our emerging unmanned cargo aircraft. This is a hands-on role where you will support certification planning, compliance definition, and regulatory engagement across multiple aircraft systems. You will work closely with the Head of Certification, founders, engineering leads, and regulators to translate regulatory requirements into clear engineering and verification activities. In this role, you will support certification efforts leading to an experimental certificate of airworthiness and contribute to the long-term roadmap toward Type Certification.

What You’ll Do

• Support certification planning and execution for aircraft systems in accordance with 14 CFR Part 25  
• Interpret and apply FAA regulations, policy, guidance material, applicable to assigned systems
• Develop and own:
  • Certification Plans
  • Issue Papers
  • Means of Compliance
  • Compliance Checklists and Summary Reports
• Work closely with engineering disciplines (propulsion, electrical, flight controls, mechanical) to ensure certification requirements are translated into clear, actionable design and verification requirements
• Coordinate and support compliance demonstrations, including analysis, inspection, ground tests, and flight tests
• Interface with FAA, DERs, or other certification authorities under the guidance of senior certification leadership
• Track certification issues, risks, and assumptions; support resolution through technical and regulatory coordination
• Support conformity activities and review certification artifacts for accuracy and regulatory compliance
• Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR), safety reviews, and certification readiness reviews as required

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 5–10 years of experience in aircraft certification (TC/ATC/STC), airworthiness, or regulatory compliance
• Practical experience with 14 CFR Part 25 and/or Part 23 certification programs
• Experience leading certification of one of the following system domains:
  • Propulsion systems
  • Electrical power generation and distribution
  • Flight control systems (mechanical and fly-by-wire)
  • Mechanical systems (hydraulics, pneumatics, environmental control, landing gear, etc.)
• Experience with implementation of certification guidance such as but not limited to:
• FAA Orders (e.g., 8110 series, 8130 series)
• ACs related to systems, safety, and compliance demonstration
• Strong technical writing and communication skills

Bonus Points

• FAA DER and/or E-UM Ticket in applicable Airworthiness Standards
• Experience in end-to-end UAS development, from design through certification (experimental SAC/Part 107)

Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)

Base Salary: $160,000 to $260,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
• 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
• Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
• In-Office Daily Lunch catered 
• Company-funded child care stipend 
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!

About Us

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.

If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.

Culture That Ships

• Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.
• Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.
• One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

What’s In It for You

• Mission With a Pulse. Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.
• Resources Without Red Tape. VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.
• Career-Defining Upside. Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.

About the Role

As a Technical Director for Uncrewed Aerial Systems at Atropos, you will serve as engineering leadership for our hardware engineering organization. This group is responsible for the hardware engineering disciplines in the design of uncrewed aerial systems. This includes conceptual and configuration design, aero performance, mechanical systems, structures design and analysis, propulsion integration, and electrical engineering efforts.

Areas of responsibility include the end-to-end development of aircraft, from conceptual development to detailed design; to include designing for scaled manufacturing, and designing for flight test and certification. The ideal candidate will be able to ensure the adequacy of the technical designs and solution, as well as drive the long term organizational development of the team. The ideal candidate will have previous experience as the technical lead for a major uncrewed aerial weapon system program or programs,  and will also have foundational expertise in one or more engineering disciplines below. You will leverage your technical expertise as well as leadership skills to set program objectives, build a team from zero to one, and drive this team to completion. You are hired for your ability to trust your intuition and prior experience in key technical decisions in order to be decisive in making the right design/analysis/ and test decisions, as well as roadmapping the program’s future engineering path.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the technical execution of new and existing air vehicle systems design, fabrication, test and productization of unmanned aerial weapon systems
• Lead the long term functional engineering team development roadmap to ensure we have the skillsets, capabilities and workflows to enable successful execution of current and future programs
• Own the technical success and meet deliverable timelines in all phases of development
• Establish a center of excellence in air vehicle design that includes a library of standards, allowables, and tool sets to build upon.
• Find, hire, manage, and mentor the team of internal and external subject matter experts, and communicate that vision to them
• Partner closely with the business lines in areas of proposal capture, customer interface, resource planning, capital expenditures and program schedules
• Partner closely with additional stakeholder disciplines that are not under you direct organizational leadership; these include but are not limited to manufacturing, supply chain, energetics, mission systems integrations, GNC, Flight test and evaluation
• Manage the detailed design of the system and subsystems including requirements development, sub-system trades and optimization, risk management to ensure the appropriate consideration of design key performance parameters, schedule, costs and risks
• Own the overall model/drawing/documentation package required for initial build and effective production transition
• Work with senior leadership to ensure resource plans are adequate

What You'll Bring

• Deep understanding and previous systems leadership of unmanned aerial weapon systems in major defense acquisitions programs (i.e. Group 5 UAS)
• Early previous baseline experience in any of the following disciplines you will be managing
• 10+ years of real experience in a senior role leading air vehicle programs from initial concept through test and delivery to customers
• Experience in mission engineering driving vehicle and systems design
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical or Software engineering, or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Experience in building teams from 0 to 1, and leading teams in fast-paced programs
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance

Bonus Points

• Experience in start-up, or equivalent fast paced culture
• Experience in end-to-end aircraft development, from design through certification

Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)

Base Salary: $260,000 to 300,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
• 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
• Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
• Daily Lunch catered 
• Company-funded child care stipend 
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!

About Us

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today, not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.

If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.

Culture That Ships

Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.

Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.

One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

What’s In It for You

Mission With a Pulse. Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.

Resources Without Red Tape. VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.

Career-Defining Upside. Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.

About the Role 

We're looking for a System Administrator / IT Lead to be the first internal IT hire. You'll shape not just how the environment runs today, but how it's designed and governed going forward. The immediate work is operational: standing up and managing our Microsoft 365 environments (commercial and government) alongside our MSP, working with the MSP and internal security and compliance teammates to maintain the technical requirements of our CMMC L2 posture. The longer arc is bigger: defining how IT operates as a function as we grow. We plan to hire additional IT staff and want someone who can help think through what that team looks like, but this is not a management requirement. If you want to stay hands-on later, you can.

What You'll Do

• Serve as the internal technical owner for our Microsoft 365 commercial and GCC-High environments, administering identity, device management, and productivity tooling.
• Act as the primary internal counterpart to our MSP, coordinating on network operations, changes, and issue resolution while maintaining internal accountability for outcomes.
• Work with security and GRC to maintain configuration management practices aligned to NIST 800-171 technical controls, with an eye toward repeatability, auditability, and scale.
• Contribute to IT architecture decisions, including environment design, tooling selection, and segmentation strategy as the company scales.
• Build out IT operational documentation, runbooks, and procedures that can support future hires and reduce single-point-of-failure risk.
• Partner cross-functionally with compliance, security, and engineering to ensure technical decisions align with regulatory requirements and business needs.

What You'll Bring

• 7+ years of systems administration experience with meaningful depth in Microsoft cloud environments (Intune, Entra ID, Purview, Exchange Online).
• Hands-on experience with NIST 800-171 control implementation in a technical capacity.
• Demonstrated experience with configuration management practices and tooling across Windows and Linux environments.
• Experience managing or coordinating with an MSP, including holding vendors accountable and supplementing coverage where needed.
• Able to lead environment design conversations, not just execute on them.
• Strong documentation habits and communication skills suited to a cross-functional environment where IT is one piece of a broader compliance and security program.
• Experience taking charge of efforts and setting a direction.
• U.S. citizenship required

Bonus Points

• Experience working in GCC-H.
• Experience with multi-cloud environments (e.g., AWS and Microsoft)
• Interest in eventually building and leading an IT team as the company grows.
• Experience with segregated environments (OT, manufacturing, hardware test) is a big plus.
• Experience designing or evolving IT programs at a startup or high-growth company.
• Scripting or automation experience (PowerShell, Bash, Python) to support configuration management and operational efficiency.
• Current clearance (Secret or above)

Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)

Base Salary: $140,000 to $190,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
• 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
• Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
• In-Office Daily Lunch catered 
• Company-funded child care stipend 
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!

About Us

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.

If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.

Culture That Ships

• Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.
• Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.
• One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

What’s In It for You

• Mission With a Pulse. Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.
• Resources Without Red Tape. VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.
• Career-Defining Upside. Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.

About the Role

As a key early member of our Engineering Organization, you will architect and execute the system safety and certification pathways for our emerging technology unmanned utility aircraft. This is a hands-on role where you will shape safety processes, define product-level safety strategy, and partner directly with head of certification, founders, engineering leads, and regulators. You will help the company from the perspective of system safety compliance in support of experimental certificate of airworthiness and eventual Type Certification roadmap.

What You’ll Do

• Build the system safety function from the ground up, including safety processes, templates, and review boards.
• Perform and collaborate with internal stakeholders to educate on system safety assessments and analyses in accordance with ARP4761 & ARP4754A, including but not limited to Functional Hazard Assessments (FHAs), Preliminary System Safety Assessments (PSSAs), System Safety Assessments (SSAs), Fault Tree Analyses (FTAs), Common Mode Analyses (CMAs) and turn them into actionable engineering requirements.
  Review design and development documentation for safety critical evaluation.
• Develop DAL allocations and guide software/hardware teams on DO-178C and DO-254 impacts.
• Partner directly with flight test, avionics, autonomy, mechanical, electrical engineering teams to embed safety into early designs.
• Identify safety-critical gaps early and propose pragmatic, cert-compliant mitigations.
• Support internal safety reviews including safety review board and cross-team alignment.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering
• Performed system safety assessments and analyses in accordance with ARP4761, ARP4754A, MIL-STD-882E, including but not limited to FHAs, PSSAs, SSAs, FTAs, CMAs
• 10+ years of experience leading compliance with CFR Part 25.1301, 25.1309 or equivalent in CFR Part 23/29 requirements working directly with the FAA and/or ODA on Type Certification projects. 

Bonus Points

• FAA DER and/or E-UM Ticket in applicable Airworthiness Standards
• Experience in end-to-end UAS development, from design through certification (experimental SAC/Part 107)

Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)

Base Salary: $155,000 to 235,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
• 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
• Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
• Daily Lunch catered 
• Company-funded child care stipend 
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!