Project Manager - UAS System Integration and Test

Project Manager - UAS System Integration and Test

Job Title: Project Manager - UAS System Integration & Test

Job Purpose: The Project Manager - UAS System Integration & Test will lead and manage complex integration and verification activities across all subsystems of UAV platforms. The role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing system integration, ground/flight testing, and qualification processes to ensure all system elements function as intended under real-world operational conditions. This includes managing cross functional teams and ensuring compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and project requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the integration and test phases of UAS development programs across avionics, propulsion, GCS, payloads, and structural subsystems.
• Define project scope, deliverables, integration plans, test procedures, timelines, budgets, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage cross functional teams comprising system engineers, test engineers, flight operations, and quality assurance personnel.
• Plan, execute, and oversee all lab, ground, and flight test activities including functional testing, subsystem validation, system verification, and final acceptance testing.
• Coordinate with design teams to resolve integration issues, support troubleshooting, and drive design to test feedback loops.
• Ensure integration and test activities are aligned with regulatory requirements such as GCAA, EASA, MIL STD, DO 160, and DO 178C.
• Maintain traceability between requirements, test procedures, and verification results using established systems engineering methodologies (V model, MBSE, etc.).
• Generate and review test plans, test readiness review documentation, test reports, non conformance records, and corrective action plans.
• Interface with external stakeholders including customers, suppliers, and defense regulatory bodies to ensure successful validation and acceptance.
• Support certification efforts and coordinate with flight test authorities for test range access, safety approvals, and airworthiness compliance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in system integration processes, test automation, and data analytics.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in aerospace or defense industries, with significant involvement in UAS system integration and testing.
• Strong technical background in systems integration, system level testing, validation, and verification of complex aerospace platforms.
• Experience managing full project life cycles, with hands on leadership in planning and executing integration and test campaigns.
• Proficiency in interpreting system architecture, interface control documents (ICDs), and test requirements.
• Familiarity with tools such as LabVIEW, MATLAB/Simulink, test data acquisition systems, and hardware in the loop (HIL) setups.
• Working knowledge of test safety procedures, risk management frameworks, and configuration control processes.

Preferred Certifications & Competencies

• ISTQB, INCOSE CSEP, or equivalent systems/test engineering certifications are a plus.
• Familiarity with NATO STANAGs for interoperability testing of UAS platforms.
• Experience with digital engineering, test automation, and model based systems engineering (MBSE).
• Eligibility for UAE government security clearance.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to lead challenging integration programs and field high performance platforms in real world defense operations. You will be working in a collaborative, innovation driven environment that values precision, safety, and strategic impact.

Seniority level: Mid Senior level

Employment type: Full time

Job function: Project Management

Industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing and Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing