Airworthiness Expert - UAS/UAV

Posted: Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Corsair Technical Services (http://www.corsairtechnicalservices.com/) is a veteran-owned small business providing government and industry customers with quality, high-fidelity training systems, supportability engineering, and logistics services, as well as business capture and proposal support services.

Role Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Airworthiness Expert with strong knowledge of DO‑178C and software assurance for UAS/UAV systems. This role leads the planning, execution, and delivery of software certification evidence for autonomous and remotely piloted aircraft. You will develop the compliance strategy, create all required DO‑178C planning artifacts, ensure SOI readiness, and coordinate directly with authorities (FAA/EASA/Transport Canada) or ODA/DER representatives under the applicable certification basis (e.g., Part 21.17(b), Part 23/27, UAS type certification projects, or EASA SC‑UAS). T

This is a remote role and will report to the Director of Airworthiness/Head of Engineering. There may be occasional travel required. 

Key Responsibilities:

Certification Strategy & Planning

• Develop the UAV‑specific software certification strategy, integrating system safety (FHA, PSSA/SSA) with autonomy, C2 links, DAA, and mission‑critical software.
• Author and maintain DO‑178C planning documents: PSAC, SDP, SVP, SCMP, SQAP, and internal standards/checklists.
• Define DAL assignments driven by UAS hazards (e.g., loss of link/GPS, geofencing, flight termination, navigation/autonomy).

• Build the SOI roadmap with clear compliance milestones for airborne software.

   

Execution & Governance

• Lead the full DO‑178C lifecycle: requirements → design → code → integration → verification → objective evidence.
• Ensure complete bidirectional traceability (system/software architecture, autonomy, flight‑critical logic, sensor/data fusion, tests).
• Oversee coverage (statement/decision/MC/DC for DAL A/B) and completeness of test results; drive closure of findings.
• Manage problem reports, change control, and regression impacts across flight software, C2/UTM interfaces, and ground control.
• Conduct internal compliance audits and lead SOI readiness reviews.

Authority / DER / ODA Engagement

• Serve as the focal for FAA/EASA on UAV software compliance, deviations, means of compliance, and project‑specific plans.
• Prepare SOI‑1/2/3/4 packages; coordinate findings, responses, and witness testing.
• Support UAS type certification, airworthiness criteria compliance, and Part 21 submittals.

Cross‑Domain Integration

• Collaborate with systems engineering on autonomy, flight controls, navigation, DAA, and propulsion/energy systems.
• Align software assurance with ARP4754A (systems), ARP4761 (safety), DO‑160 (environmental), DO‑254 (hardware), and DO‑326A/ED‑202A (cybersecurity).
• Evaluate and qualify COTS/OTS/PDS software for autonomy stacks, flight controllers, and ground stations.

Required Qualifications:

• US Citizen
• Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering field.
• 7–10+ years of airworthiness/avionics certification experience, including DO‑178C for flight‑critical systems.
• Hands‑on UAV/UAS development experience.
• Led at least one program through SOI‑1 to SOI‑4 (or equivalent ODA/DER‑reviewed milestones).
• Strong working knowledge of DO‑178C objectives, DAL, traceability, MC/DC, and supplements (DO‑330/331/332/333).
• Proficiency with DOORS/Jama/Polarion, LDRA/VectorCAST, and similar toolchains.
• Experience interfacing with FAA/EASA/ODA/DER.
• Must be open to minimal travel 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with FAA UAS type certification under Part 21.17(b), EASA SC‑UAS, or similar frameworks.
• Background with autonomy frameworks, mission management, and sensor fusion.
• Familiarity with C2 link integrity, BVLOS operations, and ground control station considerations.
• Knowledge of DO‑254 for UAV hardware and DO‑326A/ED‑202A for cybersecurity.
• Prior DER/ODA Unit Member or direct compliance leadership role.
• Experience tailoring agile development for DO‑178C compliance.

Salary Range: $175K to $195K

Corsair Technical Services is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Senior Systems Engineer

Posted: Wed, 25 Feb 2026

Corsair Technical Services (corsairtechnicalservices.com) is a veteran-owned small business dedicated to delivering high-quality solutions to government and industry clients. With expertise in instructional systems engineering analysis, supportability engineering, logistics services, and business capture and proposal development, Corsair combines technical excellence with mission-driven service.

Summary:

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Systems Engineer to lead data link integration across our Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) platforms. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience integrating RF data links (e.g., LOS/BLOS, SATCOM, CDL, Link-16 or equivalent), has taken systems from lab to flight test, and can drive technical execution, vendor coordination, and cross-functional alignment. This role is technical and leadership-focused, with responsibility from requirements development through flight test and fielding.

This is a hybrid role requiring one week a month at the client site in Petaluma, CA

Required Qualifications:

•  US Citizen

•  10+ years relevant experience in systems engineering, with 5+ years leading data link integration for UAS, 
  tactical aircraft, or similar platforms.

•  Proven delivery of at least one UAS (or airborne) program from requirements through flight test with ownership
  of the data link/communications stack.

•  Expertise with RF communications and networked datalinks: LOS/BLOS, SATCOM, CDL, Link-16 or other tactical 
  links, MANET, MIMO, QoS, and IP networking (L2/L3, routing, multicast).

•  Hands-on experience with SDRs/radios (e.g., Silvus, Trellisware, Harris/L3Harris, Collins, Doodle Labs, 
  Microhard, Ettus/USRP), waveforms, and encryption/COMSEC (Key fill, KGVs, HAIPE/TACLANE, NSA Type 1 or CSfC).

•  Strong RF engineering fundamentals: link budget analysis, modulation/coding, spectral efficiency, interference 
  mitigation, EMI/EMC, antenna patterns/gain, and coexistence.

•  Proficiency with systems tools & methods: requirements management (DOORS/Jama), MBSE (SysML, Cameo), ICD
  development, configuration management, and V&V planning.

•  Experience with SIL/HWIL setups, test equipment (spectrum/network analyzers, VNAs, signal generators), and data
  analysis.

•  Excellent technical leadership, planning, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

•  Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace, or related field (Master’s preferred).

Preferred Qualifications:

• UAS-specific experience with C2 links, payload video (FMV), STANAG 4586/4609, MISB standards, and GCS
 interoperability.

• Experience with airworthiness/certification and environmental/safety standards (e.g., DO-160, MIL-STD-810, 
 MIL-STD-461/464).

• Knowledge of cybersecurity for embedded/avionics systems (RMF, secure boot, key management).

• Familiarity with SATCOM (L/S/C/Ku/Ka), beam steering/flat-panel terminals, and spectrum
 authorization/coordination.

• Background in routing over contested/denied environments, anti-jam/LPD/LPI techniques, and EW considerations.

• Experience coordinating with range authorities, frequency management, and export control compliance.
 

Salary Range: $140K to $160K

Corsair Technical Services is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.