Top Tech Jobs & Startup Jobs in Chicago, IL

Design and develop primary and secondary structural components for a next-generation UAV. Perform CAD modeling, hand calculations, limited FEA, generate drawings and documentation, support validation and testing, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and iterate hardware through manufacturing and flight tests.

Design and develop primary and secondary structural components for a next-generation UAV platform from concept through production. Create CAD models and drawings, perform hand calculations and basic FEA, collaborate with cross-functional teams for system integration, support structural testing and validation, resolve manufacturing and flight-test issues, and produce engineering documentation in compliance with aerospace standards.

Design, develop, and field high-performance Ground Control Station and C2 software using C++/Qt/QML and QGroundControl. Lead architecture and technical direction, mentor engineers, define APIs/ICDs, debug integration/latency issues, support field tests, implement post-mission debrief tools, and ensure interoperability with C2 standards.

Lead and grow a team of autonomy engineers to stand up autonomy on novel platforms (space, maritime, rotorcraft), own delivery from design through fielding, write and integrate latency-sensitive autonomy code, coordinate with platform and cross-functional teams, support live tests and deployments, and evolve R&D efforts into longer-term programs.

Perform finite element modeling and structural analyses (static, modal, fatigue, vibration) for UAV airframes; validate FEA with hand calculations and test data; develop test plans, define load cases and material properties, optimize structures for weight and strength, and document technical recommendations.

Lead and grow a small autonomy engineering team to design, integrate, validate, and field autonomy software for launched effects. Own delivery, hiring, mentoring, technical direction, ICDs, pre-deployment validation, live test support, hardware/software debugging, and cross-team collaboration for multi-agent and air-gapped fleet deployments.

Perform FEA and hand calculations to evaluate and optimize UAV airframe structures. Conduct static, modal, fatigue, and vibration analyses, support structural test planning and data correlation, define loads and material properties, and produce structural analysis reports while collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams.

Lead integration, validation, and fielding of advanced weapon capabilities on X-Bat across the full lifecycle. Define system behaviors and architectures, coordinate cross-functional integration, support lab/ground/flight tests, perform troubleshooting and root-cause analysis to reduce integration risk and accelerate capability delivery.

Lead top-of-funnel talent discovery for aircraft/hardware engineering roles: market-mapping, advanced sourcing (LinkedIn Recruiter, HireEZ, ClearanceJobs, GitHub), candidate engagement, pipeline building, coaching recruiters, cross-functional partnership, and data-driven optimization of outreach and conversion.

Lead and grow a 5–10 engineer autonomy integration team for V-BAT/X-BAT, owning delivery, hiring, mentoring, and technical health. Drive integration of autonomy software (mission behaviors, VTOL transitions, multi-agent coordination), collaborate tightly with aircraft, perception, and capability teams, run ICDs and field tests, and support live exercises and deployments (20–30% travel).