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
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.

2. Power & Data Management
Develop power distribution strategies, ensuring payloads operate within system constraints.
Optimize signal integrity and EMI shielding to prevent interference with flight systems.

3. Communication & Software-Hardware Interface
Implement and troubleshoot UART, SPI, CAN, Ethernet protocols for payload communication.
Collaborate with software engineers to ensure real-time data transmission from payloads.

4. Flight Testing & System Validation
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).

5. Process Standardization & Documentation
Develop SOPs for future payload integrations, ensuring a scalable, repeatable process.

Document best practices for mechanical, electrical, and software integration.

Performance Objectives:

To be shared during interview phase.

Qualifications:

* 5+ years in UAVs, aerospace, robotics, or electromechanical systems.
* 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.

Bonus Skills
* 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!