Full-Time
UAV Electrical Engineer
Updated on 9/12/2026
Swift Engineering
51-200 employees
Designs unmanned systems and aerospace vehicles
Compensation Overview
$130k - $150k/yr
San Clemente, CA, USA
In Person
Master's, PhD, Bachelor of Science (BS)
 Electrical Engineering (2) |
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- A Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering is required.
- At least 5 years of electrical engineering experience in unmanned aerial vehicles, aerospace, robotics, or complex embedded systems is required.
- Strong experience with circuit board design, schematic capture, and layout is required.
- A solid understanding of unmanned aerial vehicle communication systems and radio-frequency integration is required.
- Experience with power distribution, power electronics, and battery systems is required.
- The ability to work effectively in a small, fast-paced, high-performance team environment is required.
- The candidate must be self-motivated, proactive, and capable of owning systems end-to-end.
- Design, develop, and validate the complete electrical network of the unmanned aerial vehicle.
- Design and review custom printed circuit boards for avionics, power distribution, payloads, and communication systems.
- Own all radio communication systems, including command and control, telemetry, and payload data links.
- Integrate and manage battery management systems and power electronics.
- Support the integration of onboard payloads and sensors.
- Collaborate with avionics, software, mechanical, and systems engineering teams.
- Support system integration, ground testing, and flight testing activities.
- Perform troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and iterative design improvements.
- Develop and maintain electrical documentation, schematics, wiring diagrams, and interface definitions.
- A Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a related field is preferred.
- Familiarity with solar power systems, energy harvesting, or long-endurance platforms is preferred.
- Experience with avionics integration and electromagnetic interference/electromagnetic compatibility considerations is preferred.
- A background in unmanned aerial vehicles, aerospace, or high-reliability systems is preferred.
- Experience supporting flight tests and operational deployments is preferred.
Swift Engineering designs and builds high-performance vehicles with 30+ years of experience, specializing in unmanned systems, autonomy, robotics, and advanced composites. It conducts in-house product development and manufacturing, has produced more than 500 vehicles in a 60,000-square-foot facility, and has expanded into aerospace for both manned and unmanned programs. Its Swift020 Unmanned Air System is a winged drone that can take off and land like a quad-rotor and transition to efficient fixed-wing flight without extra launch or recovery equipment, serving markets such as oil and gas, maritime, emergency services, delivery, agriculture, research, surveillance, and defense, and features X-Blade Technology. The company aims to provide end-to-end development and production of high-performance unmanned and manned vehicles across multiple industries, reducing operation time and cost for customers.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
San Clemente, California
Founded
1983
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Swift won NASA SBIR Phase II on July 15, 2025, extending runway.
- November 12, 2025 ATLA exhibitor status opens Japanese defense and procurement conversations.
- May 21, 2025 hiring of Fernando Sarmiento expands composites manufacturing capacity.
What critics are saying
- Revenue depends on NASA and defense awards; one missed renewal starves development.
- SULE must prove 30-day flight in 2026 or lose credibility.
- Without government-funded wins, Swift lacks scale against larger defense contractors.
What makes Swift Engineering unique
- Swift Engineering combines design, manufacturing, and product development under one roof.
- NASA Phase II funding backs its SULE high-altitude endurance drone platform.
- ATLA Industry Day 2025 selection signals defense access in Tokyo.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Vision Insurance
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Company News
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. - May 21, 2025 - Swift Engineering, a leading innovator in advanced solutions for unmanned aviation as well as a range of other critical applications, has appointed Fernando Sarmiento to the position of Manufacturing Engineer.