UAS Combustion Engine Systems

Griffon Aerospace•Madison, AL

About The Position

Griffon Aerospace is seeking an individual to take ownership of internal combustion systems across their UAS portfolio. This role involves working with suppliers and developing in-house propulsion systems, with a required specialty in small two-stroke engines. The successful candidate will manage the entire lifecycle of up to 4 different engine platforms, from initial requirements to final production sign-off, collaborating closely with various engineering teams and contractors. The position requires a strong understanding of aircraft development programs, integration processes, and comfort working in diverse environments such as test ranges, factory floors, and office settings for analysis. The role is responsible for ensuring engine reliability and airworthiness throughout the entire process, including new engine development, sustaining engineering for deployed platforms, supplier oversight, and certification support. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on two-stroke engine expertise combined with the systems engineering discipline for full lifecycle management of critical components.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
7+ years of experience in internal combustion engine design, development, or sustaining engineering, with direct hands-on experience with two-stroke engines.
Demonstrated experience taking an engine or engine component through a qualification or certification process.
Experience managing suppliers or vendors for critical mechanical components.
Working knowledge of reliability engineering principles (FMEA, root-cause analysis, MTBF/MTBUR).
Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks or equivalent) and engineering documentation/PLM systems.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing technical reports and customer-facing documentation.
U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with UAV/UAS propulsion systems or other small, high-cycle, weight-constrained engine applications.
Familiarity with military airworthiness or certification standards (e.g., MIL-HDBK-516, AS9100 quality systems).
Experience with engine test cell design, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
Background supporting DoD or government aerospace programs.
Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

Responsibilities

Lead design, analysis, and continuous improvement of two-stroke UAV engines, including fuel systems, ignition, cooling, and induction/exhaust tuning.
Own root-cause investigations and corrective actions for engine issues identified in test or in the field; manage engineering change requests through the full approval cycle.
Balance power density, fuel efficiency, weight, and reliability trade-offs specific to UAV operating envelopes and mission profiles.
Collaborate with airframe, avionics, and manufacturing teams to ensure engine integration meets platform-level requirements.
Provide technical support to production, field service, and customer support teams for fielded engines.
Develop and execute test plans for endurance, environmental, and altitude/thermal qualification of engines and components.
Define and track reliability metrics (MTBF, MTBUR) and failure modes across the engine fleet; drive design and process changes from test and field data.
Oversee bench and flight test instrumentation, data collection, and reporting for propulsion test campaigns.
Maintain engineering documentation, drawings, and technical data packages in compliance with applicable military and industry standards.
Prepare technical substantiation, test reports, and compliance evidence for customer and regulatory review.
Identify, qualify, and manage engine and component suppliers, including source inspections and incoming quality requirements.
Manage supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and work with vendors to resolve quality, cost, and schedule issues.
Support make/buy decisions and second-source strategies to reduce supply chain risk for critical engine components.