{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"d8e7a9ccda7bff3c32dbbbff","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/d8e7a9ccda7bff3c32dbbbff","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/d8e7a9ccda7bff3c32dbbbff","title":"Drone Hardware Engineer","description":"*Job Title:*\n\nDrone Hardware Engineer\n\n*Location:*\n\nBoulder, Colorado\n\n*Employment Type:*\n\nFull-time\n\n*Salary Range:*\n\nFrom $100,000 to $125,000 depending on experience\n\n*About ThinkOrbital:*\n\nThinkOrbital is developing ThinkXT, a first-of-its-kind drone-to-drone X-ray imaging system designed to enable rapid, flexible inspection of critical infrastructure and complex structures in the field. By combining advanced X-ray technology, autonomous aerial platforms, and purpose-built hardware, ThinkXT brings high-value inspection capabilities to locations that are difficult, dangerous, or costly to access using traditional methods. Our team is made up of driven engineers, scientists, and operators who thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on, mission-focused environment.\n\n*Position Summary:*\n\nWe’re looking for a Drone Hardware Engineer to lead hardware selection, integration, and testing for our ThinkXT drone-to-drone X-ray system. This hands-on role will support the complete hardware stack, conduct system and flight testing, troubleshoot issues, and help mature ThinkXT into a reliable field-deployable product.\n\n*Key Responsibilities:*\n\n* Work with the product and systems teams to translate product requirements into practical hardware solutions\n* Select and evaluate commercial off-the-shelf drone hardware, including aircraft platforms, batteries, communication systems, cameras, gimbals, sensors, navigation hardware, and supporting ground equipment\n* Collaborate with mechanical engineers to guide designs for hardware mounting, packaging, protection, cooling, and integration\n* Integrate selected hardware into complete flight and ground systems, including electrical, mechanical, communication, and payload interfaces\n* Develop and execute ground, flight, and system-level test plans to validate performance, reliability, and operational readiness\n* Test and validate hardware supporting autonomous flight, drone-to-drone coordination, and X-ray imaging operations\n* Troubleshoot integration and test issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions\n* Maintain bills of materials, hardware configurations, interface documentation, test records, and integration procedures\n* Evaluate suppliers, manage technical communication with vendors, and support procurement and hardware availability decisions\n* Support flight readiness reviews, field demonstrations, and safe operation of drone and X-ray systems\n\n*Mandatory Qualifications:*\n\n* Bachelor's degree in engineering, or a related field.\n* Minimum of 3 years of experience in drones and sUAS systems\n* FAA Part 107 License\n* Excellent communication and documentation skills.\n* Ability to work hands-on in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.\n* Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership; able to take initiative, work independently, and tackle unfamiliar or ambiguous technical challenges with minimal guidance\n\n*Desired Qualifications:*\n\n* Experience integrating drone platforms, payloads, sensors, cameras, gimbals, communication systems, and ground-control equipment\n* Familiarity with common autopilot ecosystems and ground-control software, such as PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, or Mission Planner\n* Experience developing and executing ground tests, flight tests, and system-level verification procedures\n* Familiarity with autonomous flight, multi-vehicle operations, navigation systems, or drone-to-drone communication\n* Familiarity with X-ray systems, radiation safety, nondestructive testing, or imaging payloads\n\n*What We Offer:*\n\nCompetitive benefits and stock options\n\nHealth, Vision and Dental Insurance\n\nOpportunity to shape next-generation space systems\n\nA small, fast-moving team where your impact is tangible\n\nPay: $100,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year\n\nBenefits:\n* 401(k)\n* Dental insurance\n* Flexible schedule\n* Health insurance\n* Life insurance\n* Paid time off\n* Vision insurance\n\nWork Location: In person","company":"Thinkorbital","rawCompany":"thinkorbital","city":"Boulder","state":"CO","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-27T11:54:06.254Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2072.00","title":"Electronics Engineers, Except Computer","slug":"electronics-engineers-except-computer"},{"code":"17-2061.00","title":"Computer Hardware Engineers","slug":"computer-hardware-engineers"},{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"},{"code":"336411","title":"Aircraft Manufacturing","slug":"aircraft-manufacturing"},{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Drone Hardware Engineer","description":"*Job Title:*\n\nDrone Hardware Engineer\n\n*Location:*\n\nBoulder, Colorado\n\n*Employment Type:*\n\nFull-time\n\n*Salary Range:*\n\nFrom $100,000 to $125,000 depending on experience\n\n*About ThinkOrbital:*\n\nThinkOrbital is developing ThinkXT, a first-of-its-kind drone-to-drone X-ray imaging system designed to enable rapid, flexible inspection of critical infrastructure and complex structures in the field. By combining advanced X-ray technology, autonomous aerial platforms, and purpose-built hardware, ThinkXT brings high-value inspection capabilities to locations that are difficult, dangerous, or costly to access using traditional methods. Our team is made up of driven engineers, scientists, and operators who thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on, mission-focused environment.\n\n*Position Summary:*\n\nWe’re looking for a Drone Hardware Engineer to lead hardware selection, integration, and testing for our ThinkXT drone-to-drone X-ray system. This hands-on role will support the complete hardware stack, conduct system and flight testing, troubleshoot issues, and help mature ThinkXT into a reliable field-deployable product.\n\n*Key Responsibilities:*\n\n* Work with the product and systems teams to translate product requirements into practical hardware solutions\n* Select and evaluate commercial off-the-shelf drone hardware, including aircraft platforms, batteries, communication systems, cameras, gimbals, sensors, navigation hardware, and supporting ground equipment\n* Collaborate with mechanical engineers to guide designs for hardware mounting, packaging, protection, cooling, and integration\n* Integrate selected hardware into complete flight and ground systems, including electrical, mechanical, communication, and payload interfaces\n* Develop and execute ground, flight, and system-level test plans to validate performance, reliability, and operational readiness\n* Test and validate hardware supporting autonomous flight, drone-to-drone coordination, and X-ray imaging operations\n* Troubleshoot integration and test issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions\n* Maintain bills of materials, hardware configurations, interface documentation, test records, and integration procedures\n* Evaluate suppliers, manage technical communication with vendors, and support procurement and hardware availability decisions\n* Support flight readiness reviews, field demonstrations, and safe operation of drone and X-ray systems\n\n*Mandatory Qualifications:*\n\n* Bachelor's degree in engineering, or a related field.\n* Minimum of 3 years of experience in drones and sUAS systems\n* FAA Part 107 License\n* Excellent communication and documentation skills.\n* Ability to work hands-on in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.\n* Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership; able to take initiative, work independently, and tackle unfamiliar or ambiguous technical challenges with minimal guidance\n\n*Desired Qualifications:*\n\n* Experience integrating drone platforms, payloads, sensors, cameras, gimbals, communication systems, and ground-control equipment\n* Familiarity with common autopilot ecosystems and ground-control software, such as PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, or Mission Planner\n* Experience developing and executing ground tests, flight tests, and system-level verification procedures\n* Familiarity with autonomous flight, multi-vehicle operations, navigation systems, or drone-to-drone communication\n* Familiarity with X-ray systems, radiation safety, nondestructive testing, or imaging payloads\n\n*What We Offer:*\n\nCompetitive benefits and stock options\n\nHealth, Vision and Dental Insurance\n\nOpportunity to shape next-generation space systems\n\nA small, fast-moving team where your impact is tangible\n\nPay: $100,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year\n\nBenefits:\n* 401(k)\n* Dental insurance\n* Flexible schedule\n* Health insurance\n* Life insurance\n* Paid time off\n* Vision insurance\n\nWork Location: In person","datePosted":"2026-08-27T11:54:06.254Z","dateModified":"2026-08-27T11:54:06.254Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Thinkorbital","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Boulder","addressRegion":"CO","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"d8e7a9ccda7bff3c32dbbbff"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/d8e7a9ccda7bff3c32dbbbff"}}