HavocAI is seeking a Senior Drone Engineer to lead the technical maturation of Locust, our advanced unmanned aircraft system (UAS), as it transitions from a demonstrated prototype to a Department of Defense (DoD) fieldable, Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) platform. This is a hands-on engineering leadership role where you'll drive airframe design for manufacture, structural analysis, and system-level integration while providing the program leadership necessary to keep the production effort on schedule and within budget. You will serve as the primary technical authority for Locust's production readiness, working closely with manufacturing partners, government customers, and cross-functional engineering teams. Success in this role means delivering a robust, mission-ready aircraft that can withstand the demands of operational use while being reliably manufactured at production scale.

Responsibilities

Lead structural design and analysis of Locust airframe components, including static, fatigue, and crashworthiness assessments.
Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews, transforming prototype designs into repeatable, production-ready hardware.
Own material selection, composite manufacturing processes, and supplier qualification for primary and secondary structures.
Develop and execute structural test programs, including coupon, component, and full-vehicle testing, to support airworthiness certification and LRIP milestones.
Establish and maintain the airframe configuration baseline, including engineering change orders (ECOs), drawing releases, and configuration management.
Partner with propulsion, avionics, and payload engineering teams to integrate subsystems while maintaining structural integrity and weight targets.
Lead first article inspections and production acceptance testing with manufacturing partners.
Develop build-to-print packages, manufacturing work instructions, and inspection criteria supporting LRIP.
Support flight test campaigns by analyzing results, driving corrective actions, and implementing design improvements.
Maintain engineering schedules and track progress against production milestones, proactively identifying risks and mitigation strategies.
Prepare and present technical reviews and program status updates for executive leadership and government customers, including SRR, PDR, CDR, PRR, and other milestone reviews.
Lead and mentor a small team of engineers and technicians supporting the Locust production effort.
Support proposal development, production planning, and cost estimating for follow-on production efforts.

Requirements

8–12 years of experience in UAS or aerospace structural design, analysis, testing, and product development.
Proficiency with modern 3D CAD software such as CATIA, SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or equivalent.
Experience performing structural analysis using FEA tools such as Nastran, ANSYS, or equivalent.
Demonstrated success transitioning aerospace systems from prototype (TRL 5–6) through production readiness or Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
Experience preparing or contributing to airworthiness documentation, including structural substantiation reports or DoD Airworthiness Authority submissions.
Experience managing technical schedules, tracking engineering deliverables, and communicating program status to internal leadership and government customers.
U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.

Nice to have

Active Secret Security Clearance.
Experience supporting a DoD UAS Program of Record or LRIP effort (Group 2–4 UAS preferred).
Familiarity with MIL-SPEC requirements, MMPDS (formerly MIL-HDBK-5), and DoD Airworthiness Authority processes.
Experience designing small UAS or attritable/expendable aircraft where affordability and manufacturability are primary design drivers.
Experience supporting formal government engineering reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, PRR, and associated technical data packages.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Benefits

100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families
Life Insurance (Employer Paid)
Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)
Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum
Equity Package
Work / Home Office Stipend
Global Entry
16 Week Paid Parental Leave
Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend