Autonomous Systems Project Engineer

PPT Solutions, LLC•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

PPT Solutions is seeking an Autonomous Systems Project Engineer for its Launched Effects platforms. The Project Engineer serves as the technical innovator and engineering lead for development, integration, and flight-testing of next-generation uncrewed Launched Effects platforms. The role carries technical accountability across vendor platforms through rapid prototyping, hardware-in-the-loop verification, flight demonstrations, and low-rate production. The position focuses on autonomous systems, edge AI compute, dynamic networking, and sensor-to-shooter integration. It calls for a hands-on engineer who can integrate emerging technologies, challenge legacy processes where appropriate, and deliver capability at operational speed. The engineer will bridge commercial dual-use technology with military airworthiness, cyber survivability, and tactical durability requirements, while providing technical direction and accountability across industry partners. The role typically operates in a professional office environment with moderate noise and standard office equipment. For specified contract tasks, it may also involve outdoor work in moderate weather, prolonged standing, climbing in and out of vehicles or aircraft, and exposure to moderate-to-loud noise that may require hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, computer, systems, or a related field.
Demonstrated technical literacy in uncrewed systems, autonomous flight dynamics, robotics, edge computing, or embedded systems.
Proven success identifying complex engineering risks, isolating root causes, and leading multidisciplinary Integrated Product Teams through resolution.
Active Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Group 1–3 UAS, loitering munitions, cruise missiles, or precision-guided aerial delivery systems.
Direct experience integrating kinetic warheads, electronic warfare systems, EO/IR sensors, tactical datalinks such as MANET or Link 16, or Software Defined Radios.
Working familiarity with OTAs, Section 804 Middle Tier of Acquisition, Commercial Solutions Openings, or rapid defense innovation organizations such as DIU, RCCTO, or DARPA.
Experience with defense open standards such as OMS, UCI, FACE, or SOSA and payload plug-and-play standards.

Responsibilities

Drive hands-on technical execution across vendor platforms from concept through range testing, prioritizing iterative hardware builds, live-fire flight demonstrations, and speed-to-ramp.
Lead integration of edge AI compute, collaborative swarming algorithms, automated target recognition, and GPS-denied navigation into uncrewed airframes.
Integrate modular payloads, including electronic warfare systems, RF sensors, EO/IR optics, and kinetic effects.
Enforce Modular Open Systems Approach standards to reduce proprietary vendor lock-in and evaluate commercial technologies, open APIs, and advanced manufacturing as alternatives to legacy standards and requirements.
Monitor and manage vendor technical baselines, test schedules, and delivery milestones; identify design vulnerabilities, component obsolescence, and schedule drift; and hold industry partners accountable.
Develop technical requirements for Statements of Work, Performance Work Statements, and Contract Requirements Packages using rapid acquisition vehicles such as OTAs and Middle Tier of Acquisition.
Lead failure analysis and anomaly investigations after ground discrepancies and flight anomalies, using failures as opportunities for rapid learning.
Translate flight telemetry, engineering data, and risk-trade analyses into concise briefings and white papers for Program Managers and General Officers.
Lead multidisciplinary Integrated Product Teams through engineering risk identification, root-cause analysis, and resolution.