At Elroy Air, we build autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) cargo aircraft systems to change the way the world moves goods. Transporting cargo by air is faster and more efficient than by land or sea, but before recent technological and regulatory developments, it was prohibitively expensive. Today, we’re able to expand middle-mile logistics possibilities across multiple sectors. The commercial express shipping industry spends $140B annually on the middle-mile and needs faster, better solutions - while the armed forces are increasingly prioritizing unmanned aerial cargo delivery systems.

These partners and customers are already responding enthusiastically to the technologies we are pioneering. As we develop and deploy these systems, we are looking for people like you: motivated collaborators, excited by our mission and by the rare opportunity to improve how logistics works around the world. You will play an important role in establishing Elroy Air as the industry standard in this massive market.

Diverse perspectives at all levels are critical to innovation and employee development. We encourage our team to bring their whole selves to Elroy. This includes but is not limited to gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, age, ability, parenthood status, veteran status, educational background, citizenship status, or any combination of these characteristics.

As a Systems Engineer you will develop requirements of the architectures across the lifecycle of the program. You will also continuously evaluate systems design and test practices at both an architectural and detailed level. You will work with functional teams across the organization and serve as a voice and a resource to influence design and define requirements and deliverables in order to meet customer contracts. At Elroy we have a broad range of systems that are beyond that of a typical aircraft program, including aerodynamics, structures, electric powertrain, hybrid powerplant, avionics and others. A Systems Engineer will, by necessity, have a broad understanding of the different systems comprising the Chaparral system. 

This is an on-site, full-time, exempt role based at our headquarters in South San Francisco, CA with some remote work/work-from-home flexibility. Some travel will be required including, but not limited to visits to flight test locations and critical vendor visits to assure we hit key milestones.

What you’ll own:

• Contributing to system requirements, descriptions, and specifications through the lifecycle of the aircraft with the systems engineering team
• Develop, validate, and verify requirements to an appropriate level for the Chaparral aircraft with various technical leaders
• Continuously strive to ensure aircraft system requirements and design process comply with industry standards and best practices
• Interface with engineering, operations, and business teams to define assumptions, requirements, and associated risks for various approaches and deliverables
• Consume design information and publish updated documentation
• Work closely with Airworthiness and Certification Lead to ensure compliance with regulatory guidance and industry best practices
• Contribute to test planning and review of test results to ensure correct system validation and verification
• Work with the Chief Engineer and Lead Systems Engineer to enumerate required tasks for completion of major bodies of work
• Work with program management to enumerate and develop contract deliverables
• Work with suppliers on an as needed basis to ensure processes are followed and requirements consumed, decomposed, and derived appropriately

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Working knowledge of Systems Engineering and Development Process and Assurance see SAE ARP4754A or equivalent
• Demonstrated experience in assessment of proposed product architectures against customer, business, and regulatory objectives
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

• 5 years of experience with type-certified aircraft in an engineering environment
• 5 years of experience in a DOD verification and validation environment with crewed and uncrewed aircraft
• Working knowledge of system safety analysis methodologies (ie SAE ARP4761 or MIL-STD-882E)
• Experience in a DOD acquisitions and contracting environment
• Advanced degree in Software, or Systems engineering
• Experience in the design and certification of composite airframe structures
• Experience with industry standards pertaining to the design of electric and hybrid aircraft
• Experience in the design and certification of VTOL aircraft, electric aircraft propulsion systems and hybrid powertrain systems

• Competitive pay equity package
• Comprehensive insurance options for medical/dental/vision/long term disability/life optional plans for commuter accounts, pet insurance, legal help, and more!
• Retirement planning: 401(k) with company contribution
• 3 months fully paid parental leave
• Highly flexible vacation policy- that we actually want you to use!
• Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 support
• Developing Employee Resource Groups (Affinity Groups) for underrepresented groups
• A kind, diverse, and highly skilled team
• You'll help define a new category of aerospace / logistics / robotics, and you'll work on novel and never-before-built systems
• As an early addition to a quickly growing team, you'll help shape and define company culture and values
• Flexible work arrangements (we understand you have a personal life)

We encourage you to apply even if you aren't an exact match for our open role as many of our team members come from nontraditional backgrounds.

All employees will be screened through E-Verify.

This position will require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Please note that any offer for employment will be conditioned on any required authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.