Soaring Aerospace Inc. (SAI) designs and manufactures autonomous UAV systems for commercial applications and mission-critical defense logistics. SAI works with government agencies, defense organizations, and strategic customers to develop and deploy advanced aircraft for demanding, high-reliability environments.

The Vice President of Product Research and Development will lead efforts to improve SAI’s existing UAV systems while developing future aircraft, payload capabilities, and enabling technologies. This role will work closely with leadership and engineering teams to move promising concepts from research through testing and into product development.

This position requires hands-on technical leadership and is fully in-person in Orange, California.

Responsibilities:

Lead aircraft architecture, conceptual design, prototyping, and technology demonstrations for current and future UAV systems
Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams across aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, payload integration, flight controls, autonomy, embedded systems, and robotics
Conduct system-level trade studies to optimize performance, payload capacity, reliability, manufacturability, and lifecycle cost
Guide system integration, validation, flight testing, and the transition of research into engineering development and production-ready designs
Advance materials, manufacturing methods, and design-to-cost strategies that improve performance, scalability, affordability, and total cost of ownership
Evaluate emerging technologies, research partnerships, and external innovations that strengthen existing products and accelerate future aircraft development
Align research priorities with product roadmaps, program requirements, customer needs, and long-term business objectives
Build and lead the research function, establishing priorities, budgets, development plans, and performance metrics
Present technical findings, recommendations, risks, and program progress to leadership, customers, partners, and government stakeholders

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical discipline; Master's degree and/or Ph.D. strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience designing rotorcraft, UAVs, eVTOL aircraft, or comparable aerospace platforms that successfully progressed from concept through flight testing and commercial deployment
Demonstrated experience in material cost engineering, including material selection, design-to-cost analysis, manufacturing trade studies, and cost optimization for aerospace or complex hardware systems
Proven ability to partner closely with engineering, finance, and executive leadership to drive execution, efficiency, and cost discipline
Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, supplier management, and cost control in complex hardware programs
Experience establishing KPIs, operating rhythms, and performance metrics across operations
Experience leading engineering or research teams in a startup environment strongly preferredWithin commutable distance to Orange, CA is preferred

Compensation

$220,000–$240,000
Significant company stock/equity participation
Health and dental insurance
Paid time off and paid holidays
401(K)

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