Project Manager - UAS Avionics and Mission Systems

About ADASI

ADASI is the regional leader in autonomous systems and services, dedicated to offering holistic solutions – from the development and production of unmanned systems to joint mission analysis and equipment acquisition. We manufacture, operate, and maintain next-generation autonomous capabilities for air, land, and sea, operating in demanding environments. Headquartered in the UAE, we are committed to advancing the region’s technological edge in defense innovation. 

The Role

We are seeking a Project Manager – Avionics and Mission Systems to lead the end-to-end delivery of cutting-edge avionics and mission payload solutions across our Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms. This role is a critical interface between technical execution and strategic program delivery, ensuring that all electronics, sensors, control systems, and payloads are integrated and validated to meet the most stringent defense performance, safety, and compliance requirements. The ideal candidate brings deep domain knowledge, strong project management experience, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a high-stakes aerospace defense environment. 

Key Responsibilities

Project Management & Execution

• Define and manage detailed project plans, budgets, schedules, and milestones from concept to deployment

• Lead cross-functional development efforts in system, electrical, software, and test engineering

• Ensure alignment with program risk profiles, quality gates, and delivery timelines

Technical Oversight & Integration

• Oversee integration of avionics systems including flight control computers, autopilots, INS/GPS, datalinks, and mission payloads (EO/IR, SIGINT, EW)

• Support creation of interface control documents (ICDs), architecture specifications, and system test plans

• Ensure all systems meet regulatory compliance standards such as DO-178C, DO-254, MIL-STDs, and STANAGs

Stakeholder & Team Coordination

• Liaise with internal departments (engineering, QA, procurement, logistics) and external defense customers and partners

• Act as project point-of-contact for technical and programmatic updates across lifecycle stages (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, QR)

• Drive project traceability, documentation, and knowledge transfer practices

Vendor and Supply Chain Management

• Manage external suppliers and subcontractors providing avionics hardware, embedded systems, and mission software

• Review technical proposals, ensure requirement alignment, and oversee vendor test/integration deliverables

Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure project execution adheres to ISO 9001, AS9100, NADCAP, and internal quality frameworks

• Proactively identify and mitigate technical, cost, and schedule risks

• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, risk logs, status reports, and lessons learned

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Avionics Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline (REQUIRED)

• Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering, Project Management, or a technical management field (PREFERRED)

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience in aerospace/defense engineering

• At least 8 years in project or program management roles related to avionics, C2, or mission systems

• Experience with UAV avionics integration and defense-grade sensor and payload technologies

Technical Tools

• System Architectures: Embedded systems, real-time communications, and sensor fusion integration

• Interfaces: ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, Ethernet

• Software & Tools: DOORS, Polarion, MS Project, Primavera, Jira

• Standards & Frameworks: DO-178C, DO-254, STANAGs, cybersecurity protocols, airworthiness certification for military UAVs

Ideal Attributes

• Proven leadership in multi-disciplinary technical teams

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Detail-oriented, mission-focused, and highly accountable

• Comfortable managing complex, fast-paced development programs under tight deadlines

• Strong balance of technical depth and program management discipline

Why Join ADASI

At ADASI, you'll work with some of the brightest minds in the defense and aerospace industry. We foster a collaborative and high-performance culture where your ideas drive innovation. Whether you're an engineer, strategist, or visionary, you'll find a purpose-driven career that empowers you to make an impact on national security and technology evolution.

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