SME - Hydraulic Systems

Job Title: Subject Matter Expert – Hydraulic Systems

Department: Engineering
Location: ADASI HQ, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Reporting To: Chief Engineer / Head of Engineering
Entity: ADASI (A subsidiary of EDGE Group)

Job Purpose

Serve as the technical authority for the design, development, integration, and lifecycle support of hydraulic systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The SME ensures system performance, safety, and regulatory compliance, while contributing to platform strategy, innovation, and cross-functional technical leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & System Architecture

• Lead the conceptualization and definition of hydraulic system architectures for flight control, landing gear, weapon release, and other aerospace applications.
• Serve as the design authority for hydraulic circuits, including power packs, actuators, accumulators, reservoirs, filters, and fluid lines.
• Ensure alignment of hydraulic system design with platform-level requirements, redundancy strategies, and environmental constraints.

Systems Engineering & Integration

• Develop and validate system requirements, specifications, and performance parameters (flow rates, pressures, responsiveness, efficiency).
• Oversee hydraulic system integration with mechanical structures, avionics, control systems, and actuation subsystems.
• Manage interface definitions and documentation (ICDs, hydraulic schematics, P&IDs).

Testing, Compliance & Certification

• Define validation strategies and lead the execution of functional tests, leak tests, endurance testing, and environmental qualification (temperature, vibration, contamination).
• Ensure compliance with aerospace and defense standards including MIL-PRF-5606, MIL-STD-810, DO-160, and AS9100.
• Support airworthiness activities, FMEA, and certification documentation as required by GCAA, UAE MoD, or export control authorities.

Innovation & R&D Support

• Stay updated with emerging hydraulic technologies, including electro-hydrostatic actuators, smart sensors, and fluid conditioning systems.
• Propose system enhancements focused on weight reduction, reliability, maintainability, and energy efficiency.
• Collaborate with R&D teams on technology evaluations and new system concepts.

Mentorship & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide guidance and mentorship to design engineers and analysts working on hydraulic systems.
• Act as the focal point for supplier technical discussions, design reviews, and product qualifications.
• Represent ADASI in technical working groups, industry forums, and customer engagements.

Qualifications & Experience

Educational Background

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Fluid Power Systems Engineering (REQUIRED)
• Master’s Degree or PhD in Hydraulics, Mechatronics, or Aircraft Systems Engineering (PREFERRED)

Professional Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in hydraulic systems design and integration in aerospace or defense sectors, with at least 4 years at a senior or SME level.
• Experience with UAV, rotary-wing, or fixed-wing aircraft platforms involving hydraulic systems for flight control or ground systems.

Technical Skills

• Expertise in:
• Closed- and open-loop hydraulic systems
• Aircraft-grade hydraulic fluids (e.g., MIL-PRF-83282, MIL-PRF-5606)
• Hydraulic pumps, valves, servo systems, and actuators
• Contamination control, fluid dynamics, and thermal management
• Proficiency with:
• CAD and simulation tools (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, MATLAB/Simulink, Amesim)
• Hydraulic circuit simulation and analysis (e.g., SimHydraulics)
• Deep knowledge of system safety, redundancy, and fail-safe design practices for hydraulic applications

Soft Skills & Competencies

• Strategic technical thinking and system-level understanding
• Leadership and mentorship in multi-disciplinary environments
• Strong communication and documentation abilities
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and design optimization
• Comfortable working in a regulated, mission-driven aerospace environment

Preferred Certifications

• INCOSE CSEP (Certified Systems Engineering Professional) – Preferred
• Certification in hydraulic system design or analysis from a recognized OEM or training provider – Advantageous
• AS9100D Lead Auditor or Quality Awareness Certification – Advantageous

Additional Requirements

• Eligibility for UAE defense/security clearance is required
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for supplier reviews, integration support, and technical conferences
• Fluent in English (Arabic language proficiency is a plus)
• Willingness to relocate to UAE