Join the Program.

Provide direct administrative and operational support to the CEO of Pigeon Aerospace. Own scheduling, correspondence, travel coordination, and executive logistics in a fast-moving defense startup environment. This role requires exceptional discretion, strong organizational skills, and the ability to anticipate needs and act independently with minimal direction.

Directly support the CEO and Chief Engineer with general corporate duties across operations, engineering coordination, and program execution. This role requires someone who is proactive, independent, and capable of operating with minimal oversight in a fast-paced defense startup environment. Background in executive leadership or engineering strongly recommended. Competitive compensation and benefits. Minimum age 55.

Design, implement, and validate flight control laws for a fixed-wing XSTOL UAS platform. Own the full stack from control law design through hardware-in-the-loop validation and flight test.

Own aerodynamic design and analysis for the PGA-C1 airframe and future variants. Drive CFD analysis, wind tunnel coordination, and performance validation through flight test.

Own the structural design, analysis, and validation of the PGA-C1 airframe. Drive material selection, FEA, and manufacturing coordination for a classified-construction fixed-wing UAS platform built for operational durability.

Own propulsion system design, selection, and integration for the PGA-C1 platform. Drive motor, ESC, and propeller analysis, thermal management, and performance validation across the full flight envelope including XSTOL operations.

Design and integrate the avionics architecture, power distribution, and electrical systems for the PGA-C1. Own harness design, EMI/EMC compliance, and integration with payload and communications systems.

Own embedded software architecture, development, and integration across the PGA-C1 platform. Lead firmware development for flight-critical and mission systems, drive software-hardware integration, and establish embedded software processes from the ground up.

Lead integration of ISR, communications, and mission payloads into the standardized 1U payload bay architecture. Interface with government and commercial payload vendors and own payload ICD development.

Plan and execute ground and flight test programs for the PGA-C1 platform. Own test plans, safety review processes, and data collection. Coordinate with FAA/DoD test ranges as required.

Design and execute software test strategies for embedded and mission-critical systems on the PGA-C1 platform. Own test automation, regression frameworks, and software verification and validation activities from unit test through system-level integration.

Develop and integrate firmware for flight-critical and mission systems on the PGA-C1 platform. Work across the embedded stack from device drivers and BSPs through application-layer mission software in a fast-moving defense UAS environment.

Own system-level integration and test for the PGA-C1 platform. Drive hardware-software integration, interface verification, and end-to-end system validation from bench through flight test. Serve as the integration authority across avionics, payload, propulsion, and software subsystems.

Own composite fabrication processes for the PGA-C1 airframe and structural components. Drive layup, cure, and tooling process development from prototype through low-rate production. Establish quality standards and inspection procedures for composite assemblies in a defense manufacturing environment.

Establish and manage the Environmental Health and Safety program for the Pigeon Aerospace facility in Tucson. Own regulatory compliance, hazardous materials handling, safety training, and incident response for a composite fabrication and UAS integration environment.

Lead all engineering functions supporting defense programs at Pigeon Aerospace. Own technical strategy, program execution, and engineering team development for DoD and government customers. Based at the Pigeon Aerospace facility in Tucson, Arizona. Clearance eligibility required.

Lead all engineering functions supporting commercial programs at Pigeon Aerospace. Own technical strategy, product roadmap execution, and engineering team development for commercial and dual-use customers. This role is based at the company's tentative new headquarters in Denver, Colorado, with an anticipated relocation date of November 2027.

Own manufacturing process development, production tooling, and automation systems for the PGA-C1 airframe. Design and integrate robotics and automated assembly processes to drive repeatability and schedule from prototype through low-rate initial production.

Manage day-to-day operations of the Pigeon Aerospace engineering lab and fabrication facility. Own equipment inventory, safety compliance, tooling logistics, and lab scheduling to keep the program moving.

Establish and manage the Pigeon Aerospace facility security program in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). Own personnel security, physical security, and classified information management as the company scales toward classified program execution.

Support production operations for defense-variant PGA-C1 platforms at the Tucson facility. Work within a cleared manufacturing environment to execute assembly, integration, and quality processes for government and DoD customers. Clearance eligibility required.

Support production operations for commercial-variant PGA-C1 platforms at the Tucson facility. Execute assembly, integration, and quality processes for commercial and dual-use customers. Clearance eligibility not required but recommended for future program growth.