UAS Combustion Engine Systems

UAS Combustion Engine Systems

Griffon Aerospace designs, builds, and flies unmanned aerial systems that perform. We are a focused team of engineers and operators who care about mission success before satisfying any other "metrics." We don't hand work off and walk away. We own it. Our culture is defined by technical rigor, follow-through, and refusal to accept "good enough."

We're looking for someone to take ownership of our internal combustion systems across our UAS portfolio. Griffon both works with suppliers and develops our own propulsion systems. Small two-stroke engine specialty is required. Griffon hires engineers who have built things that fly and know what it means to get hardware from a drawing board to a flight line. You'll own the lifecycle of up to 4 different engine platforms end-to-end - from the first requirement written to the last configuration signed off before production - and you'll be in the weeds with every engineering team and contractor that touches it along the way.

You should know your way around an aircraft development program, understand what integration involves, and be comfortable working at a test range or a factory floor as easily as at a desk running analysis tools.

This role is responsible for ensuring engine reliability and airworthiness from concept through fielded sustainment, including new engine development, sustaining engineering on deployed platforms, supplier oversight, and certification support. The ideal candidate combines hands-on two-stroke engine expertise with the systems-engineering discipline needed to manage a critical component through its full lifecycle.

– Lead design, analysis, and continuous improvement of two-stroke UAV engines, including fuel systems, ignition, cooling, and induction/exhaust tuning.

– Own root-cause investigations and corrective actions for engine issues identified in test or in the field; manage engineering change requests through the full approval cycle.

– Balance power density, fuel efficiency, weight, and reliability trade-offs specific to UAV operating envelopes and mission profiles.

– Collaborate with airframe, avionics, and manufacturing teams to ensure engine integration meets platform-level requirements.

– Provide technical support to production, field service, and customer support teams for fielded engines.

– Develop and execute test plans for endurance, environmental, and altitude/thermal qualification of engines and components.

– Define and track reliability metrics (MTBF, MTBUR) and failure modes across the engine fleet; drive design and process changes from test and field data.

– Oversee bench and flight test instrumentation, data collection, and reporting for propulsion test campaigns.

– Maintain engineering documentation, drawings, and technical data packages in compliance with applicable military and industry standards.

– Prepare technical substantiation, test reports, and compliance evidence for customer and regulatory review.

– Identify, qualify, and manage engine and component suppliers, including source inspections and incoming quality requirements.

– Manage supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and work with vendors to resolve quality, cost, and schedule issues.

– Support make/buy decisions and second-source strategies to reduce supply chain risk for critical engine components.

– Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.

– 7+ years of experience in internal combustion engine design, development, or sustaining engineering, with direct hands-on experience with two-stroke engines.

– Demonstrated experience taking an engine or engine component through a qualification or certification process.

– Experience managing suppliers or vendors for critical mechanical components.

– Working knowledge of reliability engineering principles (FMEA, root-cause analysis, MTBF/MTBUR).

– Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., Solid Works or equivalent) and engineering documentation/PLM systems.

– Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing…