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Systems Engineer III (Robotics/UAV)

Columbus Technologies and Services
Petaluma, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 1/8/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/7/2026
Overview

U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder)

Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S. or Internationally

Location:

Hybrid 2-3 days onsiteÂ

Fulltime Direct Employment

W2 with full benefits

The US base salary range for this full-time position is

$102,708 - $145,530

  • bonus and benefits. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Summary

The Systems Engineer III works with our Design team to develop a variety of innovative Unmanned Systems for defense and commercial applications. This position will interact with Controls Engineers to allocate requirements and develop architectures to drive simulation models. These development efforts will generally be small focused design teams, which will require engineers to use a range of skills and tools across traditional engineering, computer science, and mathematical disciplines. Because of the nature of the development efforts, the engineer will need to work on a variety of stages of development including requirements definition, concept design, prototyping, detailed design, validation and verification testing.

Responsibilities

  • Support providing weekly Status of System development progress with requirements burn down
  • Support Allocating Requirements to Subsystems & Engineering coordination
  • Support Evaluating System performance thresholds and providing direction
  • Support Requirements and Specification Reviews
  • Support Developing Instrumented Flight Test vectors and Data acquisition
  • Support definition of system Build in Test for Fault Detection, Isolation, Recovery
  • Support definition of ground system warnings, cautions, notifications
  • Provide input for model development and simulation analysis
  • Support prototyping of autonomous systems and validate designs through a series of purpose-designed experiments
  • Support design and analysis tasks using industry developed tools
  • Writes system requirements, system test plans, and assist in validation testing
  • Perform a variety of engineering support activities on R&D projects
  • Document work and assist with the transition of new capabilities, technologies and prototypes into a production development environment
  • Work on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors
  • Resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways while applying company policies and procedures
  • Work independently with little supervision. Provide articulate, accurate instructions and guidance to lower level Engineers as well as team members outside the department
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

  • Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
  • 5 - 8 years of experience in a systems engineering role (Aerospace systems engineering preferred)
  • Familiarity with C/C and Matlab required
  • Proficiency with Matlab as well as office software and computer-based productivity tools
  • Possesses an interest in creating Architectures using Model Based Engineering tools

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

  • Knowledge of Simulink, Ansys and Solidworks preferred
  • Aerospace Systems Engineering experience preferred
  • Understanding of Control Theory and Transform functions is helpful
  • Understanding of Aircraft Terminology is helpful
  • Exposure to Guidance Navigation and Control Systems along with Modeling Simulation & Control and Model-Based Systems Engineering is helpful but not required
  • Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
  • Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
  • Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
  • Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others and the company. Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
  • Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

  • Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)
  • Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

We are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected class. EEO/AA/MFDV

Information collected and processed as part of your Columbus Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Columbus'Â Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy.

Salary.com Estimation for Systems Engineer III (Robotics/UAV) in Petaluma, CA
$105,324 to $123,475
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