Principal Systems Engineer - Actuation System

Job Title: Systems Engineer – Actuation Systems

Department : Engineering

Location: ADASI HQ, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Reporting To: Lead Systems Engineer / Chief Engineer

Entity: ADASI (A subsidiary of EDGE Group)

Job Purpose

The Systems Engineer – Actuation Systems is responsible for the design, development, integration, and validation of actuation systems across ADASI’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms. This role focuses on ensuring that flight control, landing gear, payload, and subsystem actuators meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements. The position requires a combination of technical expertise, systems-level thinking, and cross-disciplinary coordination to support the development of reliable and mission-capable UAVs.

Key Responsibilities

System Architecture & Requirements Development

• Define and manage system-level requirements and performance specifications for actuation systems (flight control, landing gear, payload deployment).
• Develop and ensure system safety analysis in parallel, maintain interface control documents (ICDs), requirement traceability matrices, and system architecture diagrams.
• Prepare related design evidence documents including DDP
• Ensure Design Life-Cycle management as per DO 4754
• Work closely with control systems, avionics, airframe, and software teams to ensure optimal actuator integration.
• Ensure the that requirement definition, design processes, verification and integration for custom developed systems are in place (ADASI side and/or supplier side)
• Prepare related design verification documents including system DDPs.
  
  

• Participate in the selection, integration, and configuration of electromechanical and/or hydraulic actuators.
• Support the integration of actuating systems across the platform
• Conduct trade-off analyses for actuator sizing, type (rotary/linear), redundancy, and failure management strategies.
• Ensure actuation subsystem requirements are aligned with power, control, thermal, and mechanical constraints of the platform.
• Develop System Safety Assessments starting with FHA, FMEA and PSA, supporting the safety engineers in parallel
  
  

• Develop Verification and Validation (V&V) plans including simulation, laboratory, ground, and flight test activities.
• Support the execution and analysis of tests such as load tests, response time assessments, life cycle tests, and environmental qualification (DO-160, MIL-STD-810).
• Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace and defense standards, including e.g. DO-178C, DO-254 (if applicable), SAE ARP 4754, SAE ARP 4761.
  
  

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action planning for actuator-related issues across development and operational environments.
• Support FMEA, hazard analysis, and reliability assessments as part of the system safety process.
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing teams to resolve technical challenges in production and integration phases.
• Ensure maintenance planning for actuation system and components including obsolescence management
• Support airworthiness and certification compliance process
  
  

• Generate and maintain technical documentation including system design descriptions, test reports, and compliance records.
• Participate in internal and external technical reviews, design reviews (PDR, CDR), and configuration audits.
• Support stakeholder communication by translating technical details into project-level updates and presentations.
  
  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering (REQUIRED)
• Master’s Degree in a related field or specialization in actuation systems, flight controls, or robotics (PREFERRED)
  
  

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in aerospace or defense systems engineering, with at least 5 years working with actuation systems.
• Experience in UAVs, aircraft, missiles, or robotic systems with emphasis on actuator integration and control.
• Experience in standards e.g. SAE ARP 4754, SAE ARP 4761, DO-254, MIL-STD-810
• Experience in safety-critical system design
  
  

• Strong knowledge of:
• Electromechanical and electrohydraulic actuators
• Servo control loops, feedback systems, and embedded control architecture
• Redundant and fail-operational actuation designs
• Strong knowledge and experience in system development life cycle management
• Familiar with system safety and certification & qualification process
• Knowledge in environmental qualification and EMI&EMC compliance
• Capable of technical management/monitoring on supplier design activities
• Familiarity with:
• System modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, or Amesim)
• CAD software for layout and packaging (CATIA, NX, or SolidWorks)
  

• Strong systems-thinking approach and attention to interface-level interactions
• Analytical mindset with practical problem-solving ability
• Effective communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
• Team-oriented with the ability to lead technical discussions and reviews
• Comfortable working in a mission-driven, defense environment with strict confidentiality and quality expectations
  
  

• INCOSE ASEP or CSEP certification – Preferred
• OEM training or certification in actuation/control systems – Beneficial
• Familiarity with AS9100D or ISO 9001 quality systems – Preferred
  
  

• Must be eligible for UAE defense/security clearance
• Willingness to travel for supplier coordination, testing campaigns, or technical support as needed
• Fluent in English (Arabic language skills are a plus)
• Willingness to relocate to UAE