Lead System Integration Engineer

We are looking for an experienced Systems Integration Lead to own the integration of mechanical, electrical, propulsion, avionics, software, and payload subsystems into a fully functional UAV platform, including hybrid VTOL/fixed-wing configurations. Reporting to the Head of Systems Engineering, you will translate system architecture and interface specifications into a disciplined integration plan, lead bring-up and integration test campaigns, troubleshoot cross-subsystem issues, and ensure the platform integrates cleanly from bench to ground-test to flight-test. This role sits at the operational core of systems engineering — turning subsystem designs delivered by individual engineering teams into a working, verifiable, and flight-ready system.

Key responsibilities

• Own the system integration plan and schedule — sequencing subsystem deliveries, integration builds, and test milestones across propulsion, avionics, GNC/flight controls, structures, payload, and software.

• Lead and mentor a team of integration & test engineers, assigning work, reviewing test procedures, and ensuring disciplined execution of integration activities.

• Define and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) across mechanical, electrical, and data interfaces, ensuring consistency between subsystem designs and the system architecture baseline.

• Plan and execute subsystem-to-system integration: bench integration, electrical/EMI bring-up, harness and connector verification, sensor/payload integration, and ground functional testing.

• Lead root-cause analysis and troubleshooting of integration anomalies (electrical faults, interface mismatches, timing/communication issues, mechanical fit/tolerance issues), driving corrective actions to closure with subsystem owners.

• Develop and execute integration test procedures and acceptance test plans, ensuring traceability to system requirements and verification objectives defined by Systems Engineering.

• Coordinate with propulsion, avionics, software, structures, and payload teams to resolve interface non-conformances and manage configuration changes through the integration cycle.

• Support flight test readiness reviews by ensuring the integrated system has been verified against ground test, EMI/EMC, and functional acceptance criteria prior to flight.

• Maintain integration build records, non-conformance logs, and test data, and report integration status, risks, and blockers to the Head of Systems Engineering and program stakeholders.

• Drive continuous improvement of integration tooling, fixtures, test benches, and procedures to reduce integration cycle time and improve first-pass yield.

• Support vendor and subsystem qualification activities where integration-level testing is required (e.g., propulsion units, avionics boxes, payload pods).

Skills