UAV Engineer / Tech Lead

About the role

Breezy is seeking a UAV Engineer and Tech Lead to join their growing team. This role combines hands-on engineering leadership with technical direction for unmanned aerial vehicle projects. You will guide a team of engineers through the full development lifecycle of drone systems, from initial prototyping through production readiness. The position is fully remote and offers the chance to shape the technical vision of the company's UAV platform while mentoring a distributed group of hardware and software specialists. The team operates in a fast-paced environment where technical excellence and clear communication are valued equally.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of unmanned aerial vehicle systems from initial concept through final production.
• Oversee a dedicated team of engineers working on UAV hardware, firmware, and software subsystems.
• Define the technical roadmap and key architecture decisions for current and future drone platforms.
• Conduct thorough code and design reviews to ensure quality and consistency across the entire engineering team.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including operations, product management, and research departments.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in flight controllers, motor systems, and sensor integration.
• Mentor junior engineers and actively contribute to their professional growth and technical skill development.
• Evaluate and select components, sensors, and avionics for new UAV configurations and product iterations.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables to ensure all milestone commitments are met on schedule.
• Represent the engineering team in stakeholder meetings and deliver clear technical presentations to leadership.
• Drive innovation by researching new UAV technologies and proposing improvements to existing system designs.
• Coordinate with quality assurance teams to establish testing protocols and validate flight performance metrics.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field.
• 5 or more years of hands-on experience designing, building, and testing unmanned aerial vehicle systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team of engineers in a technical leadership capacity.
• Strong knowledge of flight control systems, navigation algorithms, and sensor fusion principles.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or MATLAB for embedded systems development.
• Experience with real-time operating systems and low-level hardware debugging procedures and tools.
• Familiarity with FAA regulations and compliance requirements for UAV operations and airworthiness certification.
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively in a distributed remote team environment.
• Experience with version control systems and collaborative software development practices in a team setting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting designs and presenting technical findings.

Nice to have

• Experience with ROS (Robot Operating System) for UAV applications and autonomous flight missions.
• Background in computer vision or machine learning for autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance.
• Prior experience managing hardware certification and regulatory approval processes with aviation authorities.
• Knowledge of additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping techniques for drone chassis design and iteration.
• Experience with swarm robotics or multi-vehicle coordination systems.
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks such as ASTM or ISO standards for unmanned systems.

Skills & tools

• UAV flight controller programming and tuning
• Embedded C and C++ for real-time systems
• Sensor integration including IMUs, GPS, and LiDAR
• MATLAB and Simulink for modeling and simulation
• Version control with Git and collaborative development workflows
• CAD software such as SolidWorks or Fusion 360 for mechanical design
• Python scripting for data analysis and automation pipelines
• GitLab or GitHub for code review and continuous integration pipelines
• Linux environment proficiency for server-side tooling and deployment workflows
• Flight simulation software such as Gazebo or PX4 SITL for testing and validation

Practical notes

• This is a full-time remote position with flexible working hours across multiple time zones worldwide.
• Candidates should have a reliable high-speed internet connection and a dedicated home office setup.
• The role involves regular virtual meetings with the team and occasional on-site visits to company facilities.
• Breezy values asynchronous communication, thorough documentation, and engineering-first practices across all distributed teams.
• The company operates on a flexible schedule and expects results-oriented delivery rather than strict hour tracking.
• Applicants should be prepared to discuss their previous UAV projects and leadership experience during the interview process.

About the company

's mission? " 4.150 words: "Describe a system you built that made your company move faster.