Mission:
TEKEVER is looking for a UAV Prototyping Engineer to build, maintain and evolve a fleet of foam-based fixed-wing UAVs that will serve as the primary experimentation platform for the Data & AI Swarming Team. These platforms enable rapid development, testing and validation of early-stage autonomy, coordination and multirobot behaviours in a safe, low-risk environment. The foamy aircraft will be stable, repeatable and well documented, allowing structured testing before any future migration of algorithms to operational systems such as AR3.
Working on-site at Leiria within the AR3 workshop, this role combines 50% hands-on fabrication & maintenance with 50% engineering & integration, including autopilot setup (PX4/ArduPilot), parameterization, tuning, telemetry integration, log analysis and structured flight testing. While the core airframe designs already exist, the engineer will apply controlled modifications when required, such as integrating parachute systems, improving mounts or adjusting sensor layouts. The role also contributes to preparing the technical documentation required for SORA/BVLOS, ensuring full configuration traceability and operational clarity.
The UAV Prototyping and Flight Support Engineer will be present during flight tests in Portugal, supporting aircraft preparation, safety checks and post‑flight analysis, and should be able to perform VLOS flights when needed. You will collaborate closely with the Swarm Team, the AR3 engineering team and a Flight Liaison, ensuring that the foamy fleet faithfully supports swarming R&D while remaining aligned with future integration pathways toward AR3.
What will be your responsibilities:
Own the foamy testbed fleet: build, maintain, repair, and keep high readiness and consistency across units.
Repair & troubleshooting: perform fast structural/electrical repairs and develop a strong sense for fault diagnosis, identifying root causes (e.g., vibration, CG shifts, RF/noise, power issues, control geometry).
Integrate and configure autopilots (PX4/ArduPilot): parameters, tuning, calibrations, failsafe actions, and emergency logic (e.g., parachute systems).
Wire and integrate avionics: RC/telemetry links, antennas, sensors, payloads; ensure clean, EMI-aware layouts.
Networking & communications: configure and troubleshoot UAV networking and telemetry (radios, IP links, routing), ensuring reliable data exchange between aircraft and ground systems.
Plan and execute structured tests: ground checks, VLOS flight tests, envelope expansion, and detailed post‑flight log analysis.
Apply controlled modifications to stable airframes (e.g., mounts, reinforcements, parachute integration) aligned with Swarm and AR3 requirements.
Documentation & traceability: maintain full and reproducible records of builds, configurations, changes, repairs, incidents, test results and maintenance logs in Jira/Confluence.
SORA/BVLOS support: provide technical inputs (configs, operational limits, mission profiles, reliability/maintenance data).
Cross-functional collaboration: work closely with Swarm engineers, AR3 engineering (hardware, firmware, integration) and Flight Liaison, aligning testbed capabilities with project goals.
Flight campaign support: be present at test sessions, prep aircraft, perform checks, assist tuning and troubleshoot issues on-site.
Profile and requirements:
Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
Must-have technical skills:
Fixed-wing Assembly: Strong hands-on skills assembling small fixed-wing UAVs end-to-end (airframe, servos, wiring, powertrain, avionics).
Autopilot Integration: Solid experience configuring PX4 or ArduPilot, including parameters, calibrations, tuning fundamentals, failsafe actions, and emergency logic.
Troubleshooting & Diagnostics: Ability to identify and solve issues related to vibration, CG, wiring faults, control geometry, networking and RF/telemetry links, and power anomalies, applying structured root‑cause analysis.
Avionics Integration: Confident with soldering, wiring harnesses, connectors, ESC/BEC, RC/telemetry systems (e.g., SBUS, ELRS, MAVLink), antennas and sensor placement.
Documentation & Traceability: Proven experience maintaining clear, reproducible technical documentation, including BOMs, configuration files, change logs, maintenance records and test results (Jira/Confluence).
Simulation Tools: Experience with UAV simulation environments such as Gazebo, JSBSim, NVIDIA Isaac, Webots, or custom HIL/SIL test setups.
MAVLink & Communications: Understanding of MAVLink message flows, telemetry routing, and RF considerations (antenna placement, noise mitigation).
Composite & Foam Fabrication: Skills in foam repair, laminates, carbon reinforcement, CNC light fabrication or hot‑wire cutting.
Ability to configure and maintain networking setups relevant to UAV operations, including managing routers, switches, and mesh systems, understanding IP addressing, routing, bandwidth allocation, link redundancy, monitoring and diagnostics.
Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess flight logs, diagnose technical issues and identify root-cause solutions that improve platform stability and reliability.
Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (Swarm, AR3 engineering, Flight Liaison) and clearly document configurations, test results and technical findings.
Attention to Detail: High attention to detail in build quality, wiring, alignment, configuration control and documentation, ensuring consistency, accuracy and reproducibility across all foamy platforms.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, iterative R&D environment, balancing hands-on fabrication, integration, testing and documentation, while adapting quickly to evolving swarming and AR3 project requirements.
What we have to offer you
- A dynamic and collaborative working environment, with the opportunity to make a real impact
- A truly high-tech, state-of-the-art engineering company with flat structure and no politics;
Professional development opportunities;A competitive salary package, aligned with your proven level of experience
Meal allowance and health insurance for employees
Shuttle transport service to the offices in Leiria, Caldas da Rainha and Ponte de Sor
Bonus in line with company policy
Do you want to know more about us ?
Visit our LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekever/
