Principal Systems Engineer - Hydraulics Systems

Job Title: Systems Engineer Hydraulics

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 – Hydraulic Systems is responsible for the design, development, integration, validation, and lifecycle support of hydraulic systems in UAV platforms. The role focuses on ensuring that hydraulic subsystems such as landing gear, flight control actuators, weapon release mechanisms, and auxiliary systems are designed and integrated to meet mission performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

System Architecture & Requirements Management

• Develop and manage system-level requirements and specifications for hydraulic systems, including pressure regulation, flow rates, fluid types, redundancy and safety features.
• Create and ensure system safety analysis in parallel and maintain interface control documents (ICDs) and hydraulic circuit diagrams.
• Collaborate with airframe, avionics, actuation, and control systems teams to ensure integrated hydraulic system solutions.
• 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.
  
  

• Support the selection, sizing, and integration of hydraulic components such as pumps, actuators, accumulators, reservoirs, filters, and valves.
• Ensure Design Life-Cycle management as per ARP4754
• Conduct trade studies on hydraulic system configurations, sizing and equipment selection considering weight, reliability, maintainability, and cost.
• Ensure hydraulic systems integrate effectively with structural, avionics, electrical, landing gear and control systems.
  
  

• Contribute to hydraulic system analyses, including fluid dynamics simulations, contamination control studies, and thermal impact assessments.
• Define and execute verification testing: pressure testing, endurance testing, environmental qualification (e.g. MIL-STD-810H, DO-160).
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for hydraulic-related failures or performance issues.
• Develop System Safety Assessments starting with FHA, FMEA and PSA, supporting the safety engineers in parallel.
  
  

• Ensure hydraulic systems meet aerospace standards e.g.: MIL-PRF-5606, MIL-PRF-83282, MIL-STD-810H, DO-160.
• Generate and maintain technical documentation: system design descriptions, test reports, compliance matrices, and safety assessments.
• Support internal design reviews and prepare documentation for airworthiness, qualification and/or certification processes.
  
  

• Work closely with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure hydraulic components meet technical and quality requirements.
• Ensure the requirement definition, design process, verification and integration for custom developed systems (internal or supplier development).
• Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and act as a key interface between hydraulic design activities and broader platform integration teams.
• Engage with manufacturing (DFM) and maintenance teams to ensure hydraulic system solutions are producible and maintainable.
• Ensure maintenance planning for hydraulic system and components including obsolescence management.
  
  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Fluid Power/Systems Engineering (REQUIRED)
• Master’s Degree in a related field (e.g., Hydraulics/Aerospace/Systems Engineering) (PREFERRED)
  
  

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace or defense industries, with 4+ years in hydraulic system design, analysis and/or integration.
• Experience in UAVs, military aircraft, rotorcraft, or similar platforms preferred.
• Experience in safety-critical system design.
• Experience in system design life-cycle.
  
  

• Strong knowledge of:
• Hydraulic circuits and components (pumps, accumulators, valves, actuators)
• Hydraulic fluid properties and contamination control
• Fluid power simulation and analysis tools (e.g., SimHydraulics, Amesim, MATLAB/Simulink)
• System safety, redundancy, and fail-safe principles
• Familiar with CAD tools (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks) for packaging and integration validation
• Understanding of applicable standards (e.g. MIL-STD-810H, DO-160, , AS9100)
• Strong knowledge and experience in system development life cycle management
• Familiar with system safety, qualification and/or certification processes.
• Knowledge in environmental qualification and EMI & EMC compliance.
• Capable of technical management/monitoring of supplier design activities.
  
  

• Systems thinking and ability to work across disciplines.
• Analytical and detail-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Adaptable and responsive to changing project demands.
  
  

• INCOSE ASEP or CSEP – Preferred
• OEM or specialized training in hydraulic systems – Advantageous
• AS9100D or ISO 9001 quality systems awareness – Preferred
  
  

• Must be eligible for UAE defense/security clearance
• Willingness to travel for supplier reviews, integration activities, and testing
• Fluent in English (Arabic language skills are a plus)