Drone Engineer

Join P3's pioneering team in Bucharest and take a central role in developing next-generation autonomous unmanned aerial systems (UAVs). This project focuses on creating integrated drone and AI platforms for advanced tactical scenarios. You will be instrumental in transforming cutting-edge product strategy into high-performance, reliable hardware that operates at the edge of innovation.

Role Overview: We are seeking a highly skilled Drone Expert Engineer to lead the technical design, development, and prototyping of our UAV platforms. You will be the cornerstone of the hardware development lifecycle, responsible for the end-to-end engineering of drone systems—from architectural design and sourcing to integration, testing, and validation. Your work will ensure our products meet stringent performance, reliability, and operational requirements for real-world deployment.

Key Responsibilities:

· System Architecture & Design:

· Finalize and refine the overall product architecture for UAV platforms, including all relevant modules, data flows, energy budgets, and payload integration.

· Define detailed specifications for UAV prototypes, including platforms for data acquisition, interception, and target systems for training and demonstrations.

· Technical Analysis & Sourcing:

· Perform hands-on tear-down and performance analysis of competitor and partner UAV systems to inform design decisions.

· Conduct comprehensive make-or-buy analyses for all system components (e.g., flight controllers, sensors, airframes, propulsion systems).

· Identify and qualify suppliers, creating an Approved Vendor List (AVL) while ensuring compliance with relevant export regulations (e.g., ITAR, EAR).

· Prototype Development & Integration:

· Lead the specification, development, and commissioning of prototype UAVs and custom data acquisition platforms.

· Collaborate closely with AI, software, and simulation teams to ensure UAV platforms are effectively integrated with data collection, perception systems, and ML training environments.

· Define specifications for target systems used in AI training and demonstration scenarios.

· Validation & Testing:

· Oversee ground and flight testing, validating system performance against operational scenarios and acceptance criteria.

· Work with the simulation team to define requirements for high-fidelity simulation environments based on real-world UAV performance data.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

· Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field.

· Proven experience in the end-to-end design, development, and testing of unmanned aerial systems (UAVs/drones).

· Deep knowledge of UAV subsystems: flight dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion systems, battery and power management, avionics, and communication links.

· Strong experience with CAD software for design and simulation.

· Practical, hands-on approach to prototyping, assembly, and problem-solving.

· Experience with sourcing components and managing a Bill of Materials (BOM).

· Strong analytical skills, with experience in technical tear-downs and performance benchmarking.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice-to-Have):

· Familiarity with regulatory and compliance standards for UAVs.

· Experience with embedded systems and software-hardware integration.

· Knowledge of light-weight and composite materials.

· Experience working in an Agile/Scrum development environment.

Why Join P3?

· Tangible Impact: Your work will directly shape the capabilities of cutting-edge autonomous systems from concept to reality.

· Complex Challenges: Solve unique problems at the intersection of aerospace engineering, robotics, and AI.

· Green-Field Development: Play a key role in building a flagship product from the ground up.