Systems & Payload Engineer
Posted on: 30/01/2025
Job Information
Employment Type: Employee
Work Schedule: Full Time
Work Location Type: Halifax, NS
Application Closing Date: 01/01/2024
Experience Required: Yes
Manages Others: No
Degree Required: Yes
Travel Required: No
Security Clearance Required: Yes
About Us:
Spiri Robotics is at the forefront of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development, specializing in cutting-edge drone technology for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions and specialized payload applications. As we expand, we’re seeking a Systems & Payload Engineer to drive the integration of third-party payloads (cameras, gimbals, sensors) while ensuring seamless system-level performance across avionics, communication, and power systems. This hybrid role blends systems engineering and hands-on electromechanical integration, making it ideal for candidates with experience in UAV payloads, avionics, flight testing, and system-wide optimization.
About You:
As our Systems & Payload Engineer, you will: * Integrate and optimize payloads onto a 3 kg UAV, ensuring stable performance and seamless communication with avionics systems.
* Develop system-wide solutions for power distribution, signal processing, and data transmission.
* Define and implement communication protocols (UART, SPI, CAN, Ethernet) to ensure reliable payload operation.
* Lead flight testing and troubleshooting, refining payload performance and resolving mechanical, electrical, or system-wide issues.
* Standardize integration processes for scalable, repeatable payload configurations.
Responsibilities:
What You’ll Do 1. Payload & System Integration 2. Power & Data Management 3. Communication & Software-Hardware Interface 4. Flight Testing & System Validation 5. Process Standardization & Documentation Document best practices for mechanical, electrical, and software integration.
Design and implement mechanical and electrical integration of UAV payloads (cameras, gimbals, sensors).
Ensure stable mounting, vibration isolation, and power efficiency.
Configure payload interfaces and optimize data transmission to onboard avionics and ground control.
Develop power distribution strategies, ensuring payloads operate within system constraints.
Optimize signal integrity and EMI shielding to prevent interference with flight systems.
Implement and troubleshoot UART, SPI, CAN, Ethernet protocols for payload communication.
Collaborate with software engineers to ensure real-time data transmission from payloads.
Conduct ground and flight tests to validate payload function under real-world conditions.
Identify and resolve payload-specific and system-wide issues (vibration, EMI, power failures).
Develop SOPs for future payload integrations, ensuring a scalable, repeatable process.
Performance Objectives:
To be shared during interview phase.
Qualifications:
* 5+ years in UAVs, aerospace, robotics, or electromechanical systems. Bonus Skills
* Proven experience integrating payloads onto UAVs, including mechanical and electrical setup.
* Strong background in systems integration, ensuring payloads, avionics, and software function together.
* Hands-on experience with power distribution, wiring, and EMI shielding.
* Proficiency in communication protocols (UART, SPI, CAN, Ethernet) for real-time payload data transfer.
* Experience in UAV flight testing, troubleshooting, and optimizing payload stability.
* Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
* Experience with ISR payloads (EO/IR cameras, LiDAR, SIGINT sensors).
* Familiarity with autopilot systems, embedded systems, or real-time data processing.
* Experience with CAD tools (Fusion 360, SolidWorks) for payload mounting design.
Why Join Us:
* Work at the cutting edge of UAV technology in a fast-growing company.
* Be part of a multi-disciplinary team developing drones for ISR and specialized missions.
* Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a city known for its vibrant tech sector and quality of life.
* Hands-on impact—you'll be designing, integrating, and testing systems end-to-end.
Application Process:
Send your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience with UAV payloads and systems integration to recruiting@spirirobotics.com Join us at Spiri Robotics and help shape the future of autonomous aerial technology!