Head of Business Unit - UAS and Autonomous Systems

STI•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$170,000 - $200,000

About The Position

Systems Technology Inc. (STI) is a private, 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering consulting and product development company with a 60+ year legacy of delivering safety critical solutions to government and commercial customers. We combine the agility and culture of a startup with the stability and credibility of a longstanding aerospace innovator. Our growth plans are ambitious, and every employee plays a direct role in shaping our future. At STI, we look for true business partners—people who value transparency, collaboration, technical excellence, ownership, and accountability. If you enjoy solving complex, real-world problems and want your work to have visible impact, you will thrive here. The Head – UAS and Autonomous Systems will lead STI’s strategic and technical efforts in uncrewed and autonomous aviation systems. This role is designed for a technically strong leader who is comfortable operating in early-stage R&D environments, translating advanced research into practical capabilities, and scaling promising technologies into sustained programs. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams while managing a diverse portfolio of government-funded research programs, prototype development efforts, and commercial aerospace engagements. The role combines technical leadership, program oversight, and strategic growth, with responsibility for advancing STI’s position in the rapidly evolving UAS and autonomous aviation ecosystem.

Requirements

MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or a related field (or equivalent experience).
7+ years of experience in aerospace engineering, aviation systems, or autonomous aircraft development.
Demonstrated experience working with Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) or autonomous aviation technologies.
Experience leading engineering teams in early-stage or research-driven environments.
Proven ability to translate research concepts into working prototypes or operational capabilities.
Experience managing multiple concurrent technical programs or R&D contracts.
Strong background in at least one of the following: Flight dynamics and control Autonomous aircraft systems Modeling and simulation Rotorcraft or vertical flight
To conform to U.S. Government aerospace technology export regulations (ITAR and EAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Therefore, candidates will need to qualify as a US Person which is defined as a US Citizen, a Permanent Resident who does not work for a foreign company/foreign government/foreign governmental agency or organization, or a political asylee in compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations and DOD requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with government-funded aerospace programs (e.g., NASA, DoD, FAA)

Responsibilities

Lead STI’s technical and strategic initiatives in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and autonomous aviation technologies.
Identify opportunities where STI’s expertise in flight dynamics, modeling and simulation, and autonomy can support emerging aviation systems.
Guide development of innovative solutions supporting defense, civil, and commercial UAS applications.
Lead engineering efforts that transition technologies from concept and early-stage R&D into operational prototypes and deployable capabilities.
Support the maturation and scaling of promising technical concepts into larger programs or operational systems.
Maintain active technical engagement with key projects and innovation efforts.
Oversee execution of a portfolio of government R&D contracts, prototype development programs, and commercial aerospace work.
Manage multiple concurrent programs with varying technical goals, schedules, and funding constraints.
Ensure projects meet technical objectives, schedule requirements, and budget constraints.
Lead and mentor a team of aerospace engineers, researchers, and program managers.
Recruit and develop engineers with expertise in autonomy, flight dynamics, simulation, and aerospace systems.
Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.
Identify and pursue new opportunities with: UAS and autonomy technology companies Defense and national security programs NASA and federal research organizations Advanced air mobility and emerging aviation startups
Support proposal development and capture strategy for new programs.
Represent STI within the aerospace and UAS community through technical engagement and industry events.