UAS Engine Engineer

Job Title

Small UAS Engine Engineer

Provide engineering and technical support for small piston engines used in unmanned aircraft systems for the Air Force System Program Office. Work in office and field with government teams and contractors to support propulsion engineering activities across development, testing, production, and sustainment, coordinate test events, and maintain documentation.

• Provide engineering and technical support for small piston engines used in UAS, supporting SPO activities across development, production, test, and sustainment.
• Perform in‑office technical support to Program Managers, engineers, and IPTs, including propulsion engineering analysis, requirements traceability, technical documentation review, and issue tracking.
• Support coordination activities with prime contractors, UAS manufacturers, and engine vendors, reviewing engine designs, data packages, analyses, and compliance artifacts.
• Support test and evaluation activities for small piston engines, including test planning support, on‑site test execution support, test data reduction, performance monitoring, durability assessments, and engine anomaly documentation.
• Participate in program technical forums, including TIMs, PDR/CDR, airworthiness activities, and readiness reviews, supporting preparation of briefings, technical content, and action items.
• Provide lifecycle and sustainment engineering support, including reliability and maintainability assessments, maintenance concepts, technical order inputs, parts obsolescence tracking, and sustainment planning support.
• Travel as required to contractor facilities, government test locations, depots, and flight test sites.

Location:

Wright‑Patterson AFB, Ohio. Travel: 20-25% (up to 50% surge).

Working hours:

standard.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience in propulsion, mechanical systems, or related engineering roles, with exposure to small piston engines.
• Demonstrated experience supporting engineering, test, or sustainment activities across development, integration, or operational environments.
• Ability to review and interpret technical documentation, including engine specifications, test reports, drawings, and performance data.
• Experience working in or supporting government program office or defense acquisition environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to ~25% (surge up to 50%).
• Active DoD Secret clearance required.

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience with small piston aviation engines used in UAS, including 2‑stroke, 4‑stroke, or heavy‑fuel engines.
• Hands‑on experience supporting engine ground test or flight test activities, including test data analysis and anomaly investigation.
• Familiarity with UAS propulsion integration, including fuel systems, cooling, controls, and airframe interfaces.
• Experience supporting DoD acquisition programs, including development, production, or sustainment of airborne systems.
• Knowledge of airworthiness processes, military or civil (e.g., Military Flight Release, FAA concepts applied to UAS).
• Experience with sustainment engineering, including reliability analysis, maintenance concepts, depot support, or obsolescence management.
• Ability to develop and support technical briefings and written products for program reviews, test events, and IPT meetings.
• Prior experience working at test ranges, flight test organizations, or contractor facilities in a field support role.
• Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain SCI/SAP desired.

• Competitive 401(k) plan with company match.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance.
• AD&D, flexible spending account, disability coverage.
• Paid time off, flexible work schedule.
• Professional training and development opportunities.

K  is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.