UAS Integration Engineer

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$117,180 - $178,392 Annually

$117,180 - $148,608 Annually for the SES.1 level
$140,700 - $178,392 Annually for the SES.2 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have an opening for a UAS Integration Engineer to support the Flight Test Group. The Flight Test Group is a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary team that specializes in rapid development of reliable in-field deployable assets. You will be well-rounded with a broad range of knowledge and experience but also have specific experience with small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and their applications. Your disciplinary background will include good mechanical design skills and intuition, knowledge and experience with DC electronics circuit design, and prior experience with software development and maintenance activities. Your primary role will be to support, develop, maintain, and expand ongoing sUAS development efforts (hardware, electrical, and software) as a member of the Flight Test Group, but your relevant skills may also be leveraged to support other Flight Test development efforts. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate. DTED provides support to the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Program.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Conduct systems integration work to incorporate COTS and custom subsystems into Flight Test sUAS to enhance capabilities and increase system robustness and mission flexibility, following standard techniques and methodologies.
• Contribute to the mechanical, electrical, and software design and development of sUAS airframes, power systems, sensor payloads, communication boxes, and supporting equipment, using defined practices, principles, and concepts.
• Conduct test & evaluation activities including flight tests, demos, subsystem tests, etc., and provide solutions to operational problems of limited complexity.
• Contribute to and/or generate system documentation, procedures, specifications, and other technical documents for use by Flight Test and other supporting personnel.
• Assist in coordinating the procurement, fabrication, and manufacturing of sUAS-related mechanical and electrical components.
• Collaborate with other members of the Flight Test group to understand how sUAS capabilities can be leveraged to enhance various aspects of Flight Test operations.
• Provide engineering support to the Flight Test group for relevant engineering problems and other areas of research and development.
• Support Flight Test in-field deployments in domestic and foreign locations which are nominally 2 weeks in duration, and up to several times per year.
• Collect, interpret, and provide data processing support for the Flight Test group analysts.
• Participate in technical presentations and provide technical support to Flight Test group customers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Utilize comprehensive engineering knowledge and apply relevant professional experience to resolve complex technical and programmatic issues and assist in enhancing and expanding the Flight Test sUAS capability toward the development of a full-fledged sUAS program.
• Independently determine methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to obtain results based on analysis of multiple, largely identifiable factors.
• Participate in and provide support for additional project management activities, including assisting with planning, technical resource management, recruitment of staff, technical mentorship, and direction of work.
• Contribute to the successful completion of project and organizational goals and provide technical input on tasks and projects.
• Address concurrent technical tasks with competing priorities in a multi-disciplinary team environment including important commitments and deadlines, exploring a variety of approaches and methods and recommending improvements as appropriate.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Familiarity with and fundamental knowledge of sUAS systems and their popular open-source implementations and utilities (ArduPilot, PX4, MAVLink, Pixhawk, etc.) as well as an understanding of DC electronics fundamentals that include mechanical, circuit, and PCB design skills, and experience with PCB, 3D, and CAD software, mechanical drawings, GD&T, and design for manufacturing concepts.
• Operational experience and demonstrated ability to interact, contribute, maintain, and debug code bases written in Python, C++, Arduino, and MATLAB, including experience using git-based version control.
• Experience conducting sUAS flight test experiments in lab/research settings as well as demonstrations out in the field.
• Ability to work productively in a variety of work environments including office settings, workshops, mobile trailers, and in remote outdoor field environments.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
• Ability to travel up to 2 weeks several times per year, and up to 4 weeks once per year.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Experience identifying, defining, and solving multi-disciplinary problems of moderate complexity in a timely, cost-effective manner.
• Demonstrated full comprehensive knowledge and understanding of DC electronics fundamentals, including circuit, PCB, design, and analysis skills, as well as experience with PCB CAD software.
• Strong mechanical design and analysis skills and previous experience with 3D CAD software, mechanical drawings, GD&T, and design for manufacturing concepts.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment, interact with management, and generate, explain, and present technical information.
• Experience managing multiple projects concurrently and ability to reprioritize and change programmatic direction depending on emergent requests.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Proficiency working within Linux Debian-based operating systems and experience with static network design and standard communication protocols (UDP, TCP, SCP, FTP, TELNET, etc.).
• Prior experience using popular robotics and simulation tools such as ROS, Gazebo, AirSim, etc., as well as experience developing basic GUI and web applications.
• Experience interfacing with differential and RTK-GPS and familiarity with RF systems design.
• Multirotor UAS piloting ability with Part 107 remote-pilot certification.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.