Principal Systems Engineer - Mission Systems

About the role

ADASI, a UAE-based developer of autonomous systems and advanced unmanned solutions, is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer - Mission Systems to lead the design, development, integration and verification of avionics and mission systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The role provides technical leadership across mission systems architecture, avionics integration, mission payloads, communication systems and system safety, working with multidisciplinary engineering teams, suppliers and operational stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Define and manage system-level requirements, avionics architecture and Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
• Lead integration of avionics, mission computers, navigation, communication systems and mission payloads (EO/IR, SIGINT, radar, ISR equipment)
• Manage hardware and software interfaces, technical trade studies and system-level design
• Develop and review system safety assessments (FHA, FMEA, PSSA/SSA)
• Ensure compliance with SAE ARP 4754, ARP 4761, DO-178C, DO-254 and MIL-STD requirements
• Lead verification and validation, including simulation, HIL, ground and flight testing, and analyse test results and telemetry
• Manage supplier design, integration and verification, and prepare technical documentation and design review deliverables
• Provide technical leadership during design reviews, integration campaigns and flight tests

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Avionics, Electrical/Electronic or Aerospace Engineering or a closely related discipline
• 15+ years of experience in UAV, aerospace or defence avionics/mission systems engineering
• Demonstrated experience in avionics system design, architecture and integration, and integrating mission payloads
• Experience in system requirements management, interface definition, verification and validation
• Eligibility for UAE defence/security clearance and willingness to relocate and travel

Required skills

• Avionics communication protocols: MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, CAN, Ethernet, RS-422
• System safety, certification, qualification and aerospace/defence compliance
• Preferred: embedded OS (VxWorks, QNX, Embedded Linux), systems engineering tools (IBM DOORS, Polarion, SysML, UML), simulation and HIL testing
• Preferred: knowledge of MIL-STD-882, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, AS9100, ISO 9001, and INCOSE ASEP/CSEP certification

What we offer

• Tax-free salaries and highly competitive pay
• Benefits that may include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance and education allowances
• Learning academy and digital learning platforms, career support and collaboration with global talent