The UAS Chief Engineer provides technical leadership, strategic direction, and execution oversight for the design, development, integration, and sustainment of advanced additively manufacturing unmanned systems. This role is responsible for end-to-end system engineering across air, ground, maritime, and/or multi-domain unmanned platforms, ensuring mission effectiveness, survivability, cybersecurity resilience, and compliance with applicable defense standards and regulations. The Chief Engineer serves as the primary technical authority for their assigned platform or product area, guiding cross-functional engineering teams, aligning technical roadmaps with customer requirements, and ensuring delivery of high-performance, secure, and reliable systems within cost and schedule constraints. This position works closely with government stakeholders, program management, operations, and executive leadership.

Essential Functions

• Provide overall technical leadership for additive manufactured unmanned system development programs, from concept through deployment and sustainment.
• Serve as the technical authority for system architecture, design trade studies, integration strategies, and risk management.
• Research and drive advancements in designs centered around additive manufacturing of UAS across the portfolio
• Lead system engineering processes including requirements development, decomposition, verification, validation, and configuration management.
• Oversee multidisciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, software, controls, AI/ML, autonomy, communications, cybersecurity, and systems engineering).
• Develop and maintain technical roadmaps aligned with defense customer needs and emerging operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable DoD standards, MIL-STDs, airworthiness/safety certifications, cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., RMF), and export regulations (e.g., ITAR/EAR).
• Direct integration of autonomy, navigation, sensors, communications, propulsion, and payload systems into cohesive, mission-ready platforms.
• Lead major technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PRR), ensuring readiness and program maturity at each phase.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks related to reliability, survivability, resilience, and mission performance.
• Support proposal development, customer briefings, and technical strategy discussions with government and defense partners.
• Foster innovation in autonomy, AI-enabled decision-making, resilient communications, and human-machine teaming.
• Mentor senior engineering staff and establish best practices in additive manufacturing, systems engineering, and product development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Standard Essential Functions

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Security Clearance-Ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret/SCI DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.
• Demonstrated expertise in complex systems engineering for unmanned or autonomous defense systems.
• Extensive knowledge in additive manufacturing of UAS systems; composites, polymers, metals.
• Strong working knowledge of DfX principles; Design for Manufacturability, Procurement, Testability, Modularity, Cost.
• Strong knowledge of platform integration across hardware, embedded systems, software, autonomy, and communications.
• Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary technical teams in a regulated defense environment.
• Deep understanding of systems architecture, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), and lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with defense acquisition processes and government contracting environments.
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity requirements for defense systems, including secure communications and resilient architectures.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to senior defense stakeholders.
• Understand of supply chain as it relates to autonomous systems development, rapid production scaling and design for manufacturing.

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field required.
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related field preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, or autonomous systems development.
• 10+ years of experience with progressive technical experience in engineering roles, with a proven track record of technical design and development
• 7+ years in senior technical leadership roles (e.g., Lead Engineer, Chief Engineer, Technical Director, or equivalent).
• 7+ years in senior technical engineering roles centered around additive manufacturing principles, programs, and execution
• Demonstrated experience leading at least one full lifecycle unmanned or autonomous system development program.
• Experience interfacing directly with DoD customers, prime contractors, and/or government program offices.
• Background in integrating sensors, navigation systems, propulsion systems, C2 systems, autonomy software, or mission payloads into operational platforms.
• Experience with test and evaluation planning, field demonstrations, and operational deployment support.
• Experience with manufacturing technologies that enable rapid development, test and demonstration of capabilities.
• Experience with safety-critical systems and applicable certification standards.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is: Frequently required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.

Scale is a vital part of bringing AI-enabled technologies to the world, from autonomous driving to drones, robots, and large language models. For example, Scale works with the world's top self-driving car and robotics ML teams as well as the largest companies in the generative AI space. 

As our customer base is growing, you will be on the front lines of our field engineering efforts for our federal AI projects, having the opportunity to meaningfully impact millions of dollars in revenue by working closely with our largest public sector customers and ensuring that they become passionate, lifelong Scale customers.

Our Field Engineers ensure customers' experiences with Scale's technology are seamless and optimized to build a successful, long-term partnership. Field Engineers partner closely with Product, Engineering, and Operations to lead existing customers through building production-grade data pipelines. We do this by knowing our customer’s use-cases inside and out, and creating the tooling and documentation needed to scalably support their growth.

Field Engineers in general are experts on Scale's products and codebase, and have general technical knowledge on web development, using APIs, and working with large volumes of data. Field Engineers are strong relationship builders, great project managers, and always fun to work with. 

The ideal person is a software engineer generalist who enjoys working with clients directly, taking ambiguous requirements and issues, and quickly designing and building sustainable solutions in close collaboration with the Product and Engineering teams. This role is at the intersection of customer delivery, product, and engineering, giving you a breadth of experience and fully leveraging both sides of your brain. If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply!

You will:

• Implement end-to-end data integrations, syncing customer’s data to Scale’s platform and back
• Work closely with our customer’s engineering teams to optimize data pipelines, including providing input towards designing API endpoints and input/output schemas
• Design, develop and maintain playbooks, internal tools, Scale’s documentation and SDKs to quickly get customers set up for long-term success
• Partner with Software Engineers and Operations to remove any technical hurdles customers may face / Debug technical issues impacting delivery and own technical escalations coming from the customer
• Be accountable for the customer’s technical experience throughout their time with Scale
• Work with AEs and PMs to identify customer-specific feature requests
• Develop technical domain expertise in areas of Large Language Models, 2D Image Annotation, and working with API integrations
• Evangelize Scale and interact with customers at major events
• Have an active TS/SCI clearance

Ideally you'd have:

• Track record of success as a hybrid customer-facing engineer or similar function, wearing multiple hats along the way
• Prior technical hands-on experience working with clients in a pre or post-sales capacity to realize business goals
• Prior experience developing with Python and JavaScript, or other modern software languages
• Strong engineering background preferably in Computer Science, Mathematics, or other quantitative fields
• Strong project management and interpersonal skills
• Presentation skills with a high degree of technical credibility when speaking with executives and front-line engineers
• High level of comfort communicating effectively across internal and external organizations
• Intellectual curiosity, empathy, and ability to operate with high velocity

Nice to haves:

• Experience in AI
• Experience working in classified environments
• Previous experience as a technical go-to-market resource
• Understanding of DevSecOps principles, including secure software delivery, infrastructure as code, and continuous integration/deployment
• Hands-on knowledge of container orchestration with Kubernetes and experience with Helm charts for application deployment
• Experience automating infrastructure and configuration management using Ansible or similar tools

Join a high-impact engineering team at AEVEX Aerospace working at the intersection of robotics, computer vision, and resilient navigation. As a summer intern, you’ll support real-world projects focused on enabling autonomous systems to navigate confidently in environments where GPS is degraded or denied. This internship offers hands-on experience across the full development cycle—from sensor data collection and algorithm prototyping to hardware integration and live flight testing.

We are seeking a highly motivated engineering student to join our team for the summer. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research and development in robotics, autonomous navigation, and sensor fusion. You will contribute to real-world projects, applying your skills in algorithm design, machine learning, and embedded systems to enhance autonomy in challenging conditions.

Essential Functions

• Assist in the development and testing of software for sensor data acquisition and multi-sensor fusion (e.g., IMUs, cameras, GNSS, LiDAR)
• Support integration of novel navigation hardware and software onto AEVEX platforms, including embedded systems and edge devices
• Participate in test and evaluation campaigns, including live flight tests at AEVEX test facilities
• Conduct data reduction and analysis during and after flight testing to validate system performance
• Prototype and validate computer vision or deep learning-based techniques for localization, mapping, and estimation
• Contribute to simulations and software testing using environments like ROS, Gazebo, or CARLA
• Collaborate with engineers in autonomy, perception, and embedded systems across defense and aerospace applications
• Perform other duties as required.

Standard Essential Functions

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with navigation algorithms, Kalman filtering, or SLAM is a plus
• Exposure to embedded platforms (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson) or real-time sensor systems is highly valued
• Comfortable working with both software tools and physical hardware
• Strong analytical and communication skills

Education / Certifications

• Pursuing a B.S., M.S., or PhD in Computer Engineering, Robotics, Electrical/Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields

Experience

• Hands-on experience with C++, Python, and libraries like OpenCV, ROS, or PyTorch preferred.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is:

• Frequently required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment

Security Clearance

• Ability to obtain/maintain a Secret DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.

Job Overview

The Embedded Systems Group Lead serves both as lead engineer and as a technical manager. The Group Lead provides both technical direction and organizational leadership for the embedded systems software engineering team developing advanced autonomy, control, and mission systems for AEVEX’s UAS platforms. This individual serves as an in-house expert, both for managers from other departments who need software solutions and the less experienced staff within the department. The Embedded Systems Group Lead serves as the primary leader and advocate for the software engineering team representing their needs, removing roadblocks, and acting as their voice to program management, customers, and company leadership. This role bridges technical execution and strategic alignment ensuring that software deliverables meet mission, schedule, and quality objectives while fostering a high-performance engineering culture. The Group Lead looks at different possible solutions and how feasible those options are. The Group Lead will oversee multiple concurrent projects, day-to-day leadership of engineers, resource management, and serve as the primary interface between the software team and program management, systems engineering, flight test, customers, and company leadership. The Group Lead is also responsible for keeping proprietary information confidential.

Essential Functions

• Lead a multidisciplinary software engineering group responsible for embedded, autonomy, and ground-station UAS software development.
• Manage team workload, task assignment, and performance across multiple concurrent programs.
• Balance staffing, priorities, and technical focus to meet both near-term deliverables and long-term capability growth.
• Interface with Flight Test, Systems Engineering, and Hardware teams to ensure system-level integration and rapid iteration.
• Serves as the primary interface between software engineering, program management, customers, and executives.
• Coordinates seamlessly with systems, hardware, and test teams to deliver integrated UAS capabilities
• Implement networked and containerized system design.
• Provide cradle-to-grave ownership of software developed after release, including updates, support, and technical oversight.
• Integrate and maintain real-time systems for flight-critical and autonomy software components.
• Design and oversee integration of sensors, GPS/INS fusion, and communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, TCP/UDP).
• Develop and maintain software for embedded Linux and microcontroller-based systems using C, C++, and Python and occasionally other programming languages (C#, Lua, etc).
• Guide implementation of frameworks such as Docker, ROS2, MAVLINK, and TCP/UDP communication for distributed autonomy and mesh networking.
• Oversee embedded and UAV autonomy system software design and integration.
• Oversee CI/CD pipelines, software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments.
• Oversee communication protocol design and debugging across mixed hardware interfaces.
• Oversee integration of sensors, radios, routers, and mission equipment into distributed UAV systems.
• Evaluate and integrate new frameworks, open-source libraries, and technologies into the tech base.
• Define and document software requirements, architectures, and interfaces across embedded and companion computing environments.
• Conduct real-time performance optimization and deterministic behavior assurance.
• Promote configuration management, versioning, and documentation discipline.
• Encourages experimentation and technical excellence while ensuring disciplined engineering practices.
• Anticipate technology needs and workforce scaling.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Understanding of configuration, troubleshooting, data analysis, and integration of a wide variety of applications and equipment such as internal software libraries and products, GPS receivers, LiDAR sensors, inertial sensors, network routers, radio modems, serial port hubs, etc.
• Proficiency in C, C++, Python, and exposure to C#, Lua, or similar languages.
• Hands-on experience with ArduPilot or PX4 frameworks preferred.
• Familiarity with ROS, Docker, and distributed networked systems.
• Understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, version control, and software verification in R&D environments.
• Ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts and program status to diverse internal and external audiences.
• Ability to aligns technical execution with program and company objectives.
• Ability to task technical risks in a chaotic environment.
• Champions AEVEX’s culture and empowers employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals.
• Engages employees by creating a climate in which they want to do their best.
• Sets performance standards and encourages employee engagement and results through delegation, continuous feedback, goal setting, and performance management.
• Maintains employee work schedules.
• Provides oversight and direction to the employees in accordance with AEVEX’s policies and procedures.
• Ability to serves as lead advocate for the Software team, consistently representing and supporting the engineering team’s needs and perspectives to leadership.
• Ability to build and develop high-performing teams through mentorship, accountability, and empowerment.
• Ability to clearly articulates expectations to Software team and is transparent in decision making.
• Ability to takes ownership of technical outcomes, schedule adherence, and team performance metrics.

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related field required, MS preferred

 Experience

• 7+ years of software development experience, with experience in technical leadership or teamlead roles preferred.
• Proven experience developing autopilot systems, ground control stations, or flight simulation software.
• Prior experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or multi-agent coordination is highly preferred.
• Extensive experience with embedded systems and Linux-based environments.
• Experience in communication protocol design and debugging across mixed hardware.
• Experience across defense and commercial UAV applications.
• Experience on both military and commercial applications.
• Experience with embedded and companion computing environments (NVIDIA Jetson/Orin, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, STM32).

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is:

• Occasionally required to stand for extended periods of time

For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.

Security Clearance

• Ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.

Disclaimer

AEVEX Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

A Software Engineer 2 is responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. They work closely with the software development team to analyze user needs and create efficient and functional software solutions. They are proficient in programming languages and have a strong understanding of software development methodologies.

Essential Functions

• Develop Embedded Linux and microcontroller software applications using C/C++, and occasionally other programming languages.
• Develop new Navigation, Autonomy, Sensor fusion and Collaboration features into our software and products.
• Integrate new technologies like ROS1/2 and Docker into software platforms.
• Use middleware like ROS1/2 to implement modular system architectures.
• Use Docker to build and deploy containerized applications to embedded applications.
• Collaborate in code reviews / merges and in configuration management.
• Support the designing and overseeing development projects, software testing, and maintain computer programs using advanced software programming and/or scripting languages, techniques, and standards.
• Conduct alpha tests and coordinate beta tests of new or modified applications based on industry best standards and procedures for testing and review.
• Review and evaluate technological developments in hardware, software, and telecommunications for applicability to current or future requirements.
• Analyze user requirements to derive software design and performance requirements.
• Apply the appropriate standards, processes, procedures, and tools throughout the development lifecycle, and ensure reuse of code.
• Contribute during the entire software development process including requirements, design, implementation, test, debugging and deployment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Standard Essential Functions

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Security Clearance- Ability to obtain/maintain a Secret DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required
• Ability to grow your professional skills and learn from challenges.
• Ability to collaborate in the development effort while also providing innovative and creative solutions.
• Ability to run with an idea or solution and create opportunities to see the product succeed.
• A record of successful delivery of software applications as an individual and with a team.
• Strong understanding of agile software development methodologies and principles.
• Strong understanding of and desire to implement continuous delivery and integration within the development life-cycle.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to clearly communicate design, architecture, implementations and requirements.
• Self-motivated and capable of managing own workload.
• Results-oriented with a commitment to achieving goals.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and handle pressure effectively.

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related Software Development focused field.

Experience

• 3+ years of software development experience
• Experience with build systems/tools such as CMake, Meson, and Ninja
• Required Experience:
• C/C++
• CMake
• Embedded and micro-controller programming
• Linux, x86, ARM - cross-compilers and toolchains
• Middleware (e.g., ROS1/2, zmq, RabbitMQ, DDS, or Zenoh)
• Git
• Docker
• Networking and Data I/O

Preferred Experience:

• Autopilot integration
• Autonomy
• Visual Studio / VS Code
• Sensor fusion (i.e., GNSS, IMU, Visual Navigation)
• Sensor fusion timing
• Collaborative Navigation
• Algorithm development
• Linux tools
• Open Source robotics/perception libraries (e.g., Eigen, GDAL, OpenCV)
• CI/CD

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties the employee is: Constantly required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment Frequently required repetitive movements of wrists, hands, and/or fingers For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.

Position Overview 
The Crew Chief I is responsible for the overall execution of daily assigned project tasks. This position supervises survey crew employees, ensuring all work is completed efficiently and successfully, all while following established McAdams’s guidelines for field work delivery. 

Key Responsibilities

• Knowledgeable of the various disciplines of construction staking / surveying and accurately and effectively perform required tasks during a project 
•  Ensures field crew daily tasks are performed accurately and efficiently through the various project stages following McAdams’s guidelines and company standards
• Read and interpret construction plans that include storm drainage, sewer tables, check pipe slopes/grades, contour interpolation, straight grading, and compute vertical curves for profile grade checks 
•  Identify potential plan, computation, and constructability issues
•  Demonstrate an ability to perform Boundary, Topographic, ALTA and other various types of surveys with limited or no instruction
•  Plan projects to be performed in the most efficient and accurate way possible and seeing the big picture for project execution
• Proactively communicates with group management regarding project status and/or issues 
•  Assist with maintenance of vehicles, equipment, and work sites
•  Responsible for assessing potential hazards and unsafe working conditions
•  Aids in maintaining a safe and respectful work environment by following company policies and procedures
•  Follow guidelines and company standards set forth for the Geomatics department
•  Act as the company representative in the field during client interactions
•  Communicates respectfully with clients and / or project neighbors to insure a positive company image
•  Executes JHA’s, participates with pre and post job briefs
•  Provides clear and concise direction to fellow crew members and ensure crew members perform daily tasks
•  Defuse contentious situations that may arise from interaction with client or project neighbors
•  Assist with maintenance of vehicles, equipment, and work sites
•  Mentors and trains Junior Crew Chief members
•  Prepares field notes that meet the McAdams standards and manages field data files in a manner that they can be easily interpreted and cyphered by office support staff
•  Maintains good client relations to foster and perpetuate long-term relationships 

Skills + Experience

• High school diploma or GED 
• Demonstrate core competencies of the Instrument Operator Level II
• Knowledge of TDS Software, Trimble Robotics, GPS equipment, Carlson Software, and Leica Robotics 
• Punctual and dependable     Hardworking and detail-oriented
• Successful completion of a functional assessment 
• Must have a valid driver’s license 
• Successfully pass a motor vehicle records check, drug test, and functional assessment 

Work Environment + Physical Demands

• The characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. When properly requested and when feasible (without undue hardship to the company), reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
• Work will primarily be outside with varying environmental conditions.
• Work will involve long-term standing and frequent walking as well as include common hazards encountered while maneuvering through project sites. 
• Must be able to carry, lift and push/pull up to 50 pounds frequently and up to 100 pounds occasionally.  
• Must be able to stand up or walk between 8-12 hours a day. 
• Weekend and overtime and/or overnight work and travel may be required.