Swarm Aero develops large, multi-mission uncrewed aerial vehicles and command-and-control swarm software for defense operations.
Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results. The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic. Swarm Aero is building autonomous UAV swarms that operate in contested environments where the electrical and avionics systems have to work every time. We need an engineer who can own the full electrical stack, from power architecture and harness design through avionics integration and flight validation. This isn't a role where you hand off at the system boundary. You own it end to end. What You'll Do - Own vehicle-level avionics and electrical architecture across the Swarm Aero UAV fleet, from power generation and distribution through sensor and data-bus integration - Design and develop aircraft electrical systems including power distribution, wire harness routing, connector selection, and load analysis - Work with the mechanical team to integrate avionics devices and cabling into the airframe by specifying or creating necessary mounts, brackets, and shelving - Define avionics interface requirements and integration approach across flight control, navigation, communication, and payload subsystems - Develop and maintain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and ICDs using appropriate design tools - Lead avionics and electrical integration from bench testing through ground test and flight - Collaborate with structures, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure electrical routing, grounding, shielding, and EMI/EMC requirements are met - Support flight test anomaly investigation and drive root cause analysis on avionics and electrical faults - Contribute to airworthiness documentation and flight authorization packages What We're Looking For - 5+ years of avionics or aircraft electrical engineering experience on aerospace, defense, or UAS platforms - Hands-on experience with aircraft electrical system design including power distribution, wire harness design, and load analysis - Strong familiarity with aerospace connector families, cable families, and aerospace wiring practices. - Proficiency with wiring harness design tools such as RapidHarness, Capital, Artifact, or equivalent - Proficiency with cable routing tools such as Solidworks/Catia Electrical, NX Electrical, or equivalent - Experience scripting the interface between electrical wiring schematic and mechanical CAD routing tool with Python or other languages - Experience taking avionics or electrical systems from design through hardware integration and flight test - Comfortable working across hardware, software, and test disciplines in a fast-moving environment - US person status required; active security clearance a plus Nice to Have - Experience specifically on UAS or unmanned aircraft programs - Background in MIL-STD-461 testing, EMI/EMC analysis and mitigation on flight vehicles - Familiarity with DO160 electrical sections, MIL-STD-704, AS50881, and related standards - Exposure to defense programs or military airworthiness processes - Sheet-metal or composites design experience (professional or hobby) - PCB design or embedded electronics background (professional or hobby) - Python experience COMPENSATION $150,000 - $200,000 + Equity As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and trustworthy work environment, Swarm Aero conducts a thorough screening of prospective employees. Candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background verification process as a prerequisite for employment. What We Offer - Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company - Competitive base salary commensurate with experience - Medical, dental, vision, and 401k - PTO and paid sick leave - Monthly wellness stipend - Daily catered lunch (office) - Paid parental leave - Direct impact on a critical national security mission - A world-class team of engineers and operators solving genuinely hard problems