Flagship Pioneering, Inc.
Engineer II, Flight Systems
About this role
Flagship Pioneering seeks an Engineer II for Flight Systems to design, build, and operate fixed-wing UAVs with co-developed airframes, autopilot stacks, and payloads. You'll configure autopilot firmware, plan BVLOS operations, develop C2 link architecture, and iterate on vehicles from prototype toward field-proven platforms for precision missions in demanding environments.
What you'll do
- Configure and tune autopilot firmware for fixed-wing aircraft, including PID tuning, failsafe logic, and mission scripting
- Design and build fixed-wing airframes optimized for various payloads, integrating aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion
- Plan and execute BVLOS flight operations including waiver compliance, risk assessment, and real-time mission monitoring
- Develop C2 link architecture, RF budgets, electronics integration, and spectrum compliance for long-range systems
- Analyze flight logs using tools like MAVExplorer to diagnose issues and drive performance improvements
- Collaborate with science and field teams to integrate onboard sensors and validate mission success
What they're looking for
- ArduPilot autopilot systems (firmware configuration and source code modification)
- C++ and Python programming with MAVLink protocol experience
- Fixed-wing airframe design and manual RC flight proficiency
- RF link design, antenna selection, and long-range UAV communications
- Flight log analysis and diagnostics tools (MAVExplorer, Flight Review)
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot knowledge and BVLOS/COA regulatory experience
- Electronics integration and PCB design
- Ground control software (Mission Planner, QGroundControl)
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Flagship Pioneering, Inc.
Flagship Pioneering builds unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and hardware for advanced aerial applications. The company is hiring hardware engineers and UAS specialists to design, develop, and operate fixed-wing UAV systems for demanding missions.
- Website
- flagshippioneering.com
Likely interview questions
- Walk us through a specific autopilot tuning challenge you faced on a fixed-wing platform and how you diagnosed and resolved it using flight logs.
- Describe your experience designing or building a custom fixed-wing airframe—what were the key aerodynamic and structural trade-offs you evaluated?