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Principal System Engineer - UAV Mission Systems

Unlock employer Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Posted: 28 Apr 2026

Financial

  • Estimate: $120k - $150k*
  • Zero income tax location

Accessibility

  • Office Only
  • Visa Provided

Requirements

  • Experience: Senior
  • English: Professional

Position

The Principal System Engineer – UAV Avionics / Mission Systems is responsible for the design, integration, validation, and lifecycle management of core avionics and/or mission-specific systems for UAV platforms. This role ensures that all electronic, control, and mission payload systems are developed and integrated to meet operational, performance, safety, and regulatory requirements. The engineer will support requirements engineering, architecture definition, system validation, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the development lifecycle.

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Location: Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Work Conditions: On-site, Full-time

Key Responsibilities:

  • System Requirements & Architecture:

    • Define and manage system-level requirements for avionics and/or mission systems.
    • Develop system architecture and interface control documents (ICDs).
    • Conduct trade studies for avionics and payload selection based on mission needs.
  • Integration, Development & Verification:

    • Oversee integration of COTS and custom avionics systems.
    • Collaborate with hardware, software, and mechanical teams to ensure system compatibility.
    • Develop Verification & Validation (V&V) plans for avionics and mission subsystems.
  • Compliance, Safety & Documentation:

    • Ensure adherence to aerospace and defense standards.
    • Support airworthiness and cybersecurity compliance through risk assessments.
    • Prepare and maintain technical documentation.
  • Cross-Functional Support & Technical Leadership:

    • Participate in technical reviews and contribute to design decisions.
    • Collaborate with various teams to ensure functionality.
    • Support operational teams during system integration and troubleshooting.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • Educational Background:

    • Bachelor’s Degree in Avionics Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
    • Master’s Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering specializing in Avionics Systems or Systems Engineering is preferred.
  • Professional Experience:

    • Minimum of 15+ years of experience in UAV or defense avionics/mission systems engineering.
    • Proven track record in integrating avionics and/or mission payloads on UAV platforms.
  • Technical Skills:

    • Competent in avionic system design and integration.
    • Experience in safety-critical systems design and system design life-cycle.
    • Proficient in systems engineering tools and principles.
  • Preferred Certifications:

    • INCOSE ASEP or CSEP.
    • DO-178C / DO-254 training or certification.

Language Requirements:
(If applicable, specify any required languages for job functions.)


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