Principal Research Engineer

Position Summary

The Principal Research Engineer (PRE) provides engineering leadership and technical program guidance across a range of unmanned systems projects. This role serves as a senior technical leader responsible for advancing mid-level Technology Readiness Level (TRL) systems to high-TRL product development.

The PRE is a subject matter expert in unmanned systems and partners closely with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to drive innovation and define technology roadmaps. Responsibilities include planning and executing research initiatives, managing project work and spend plans, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and serving as a liaison between customers and engineering teams.

Additionally, the PRE supports business development efforts, including technical proposal development and identifying new opportunities for growth.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of experience in the design, fabrication, and operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including at least 8 years as a senior project leadership role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan and execute multiple concurrent research and development projects
• Develop and maintain technology and system roadmaps aligned with customer needs
• Expand UAS division business by introducing new solutions to existing customers and existing capabilities to new customers
• Participate in external working groups and industry forums to understand user needs and promote UAS capabilities
• Support UAS division leadership in internal and external business operations and processes
• Lead high-impact projects and cross functional teams
• Oversee program execution, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements, labor allocation, procurement, and invoicing
• Develop and manager project schedules to ensure timely delivery of UAS projects
• Partner with the CTO to drive innovation and define strategic technology direction
• Contribute to the design and development of unmanned platforms, subsystems, and components
• Oversee development and execution of test plans across lab, ground, and flight environments

Minimum Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering discipline
• Minimum of 8 years of project leadership and management experience
• 10+ years of unmanned systems engineering
• U.S. Citizenship
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain one

Preferred

• 15+ years of UAS engineering experience
• Master's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Required Skills

• Strong program and project management skills, including development and oversight of work and spend plans across multiple projects
• Current knowledge of Special Operations Forces (SOF) and conventional UAS user groups, including requirements and acquisition processes
• Working knowledge of business partnerships, information sharing, intellectual property, and government contracting
• Deep technical expertise in autonomous and unmanned systems
• Experience in technical proposal development
• Hands on prototyping experience, including test planning and execution
• UAS integration experience
• Proven ability to solve complex technical challenges

Preferred Skills

• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage leadership and customers
• UAS ground control station operation experience
• Autopilot configuration experience
• UAS piloting experience

Work Environment, Physical Demands and Travel

• Work is performed in a combination of office, laboratory, manufacturing, and outdoor field environments
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including heat and cold
• May involve interaction with mechanical, electrical, and aviation systems in testing and operational settings
• Ability to stand, walk, and perform tasks in a lab or manufacturing environment for extended periods
• Fast-paced, project driven environment with shifting priorities and deadlines
• Availability for short notice travel within Oklahoma for flight testing and operations
• Availability short notice CONUS travel for demonstrations and operations
• Potential for OCONUS travel

Berry Aviation, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship. All conditions and privileges of employment are administered to all employees without discrimination or harassment because of race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, special disabled veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. The Company will comply fully with all applicable state or local fair employment laws that forbid discrimination or harassment on the basis of other protected characteristics.

All new employees will be required to verify employment eligibility in accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Berry Aviation participates via E-Verify.

For additional information: Click here: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf to view the EEO is the Law poster. Click here: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/ofccp_eeo_supplement_final_jrf_qa_508c.pdf to view the EEO is the Law supplemental poster.