Title: Fuel Cell Engineer
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Winchester, Virginia
FLSA: Exempt
About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech, we engineer autonomous ecosystems that defy the limitations of traditional flight. We are a U.S.-headquartered unmanned air systems (UAS) solution innovator dedicated to solving the greatest challenges in the skies: endurance, mission capabilities, and intelligent autonomy. Hydrogen fuel cells are an ideal fuel for UASs, providing both stealth and long endurance. By merging hydrogen fuel cell propulsion with artificial intelligence and quantum computing innovation, we are creating UAS platform solutions that stay airborne longer and operate smarter than anything else in the industry. Heven also provides turnkey hydrogen solutions to deliver fuel on-site, anywhere.
As we scale our domestic footprint in Winchester, Virginia, we are seeking an energetic, hands-on Fuel Cell Engineer (2) who is not only technically excellent, but also driven, collaborative, and emotionally intelligent—someone who embodies a balance of ambition, humility, and strong interpersonal awareness. This is a rare opportunity to build and innovate at the leading edge of energy, engineering, and UAS technology.
Role Summary:
As a founding Fuel Cell Engineer, you will be a key member of a team developing hydrogen fuel cell stacks and systems with high power-to-weight ratios and high efficiency. You will help translate concepts into working hardware—building, integrating, and controlling stacks across balance-of-plant components. Your technical knowledge of electrochemical systems will be critical to delivering next-generation performance.
You will work closely with vendors to evaluate and integrate commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, while also contributing to the development of new solutions where needed. Your work will directly influence how our systems are deployed across defense, public safety, and commercial sectors.
Success in this role goes beyond technical execution. We are looking for someone who:
Brings a hungry mindset—takes initiative, follows through, and actively seeks out ways to improve systems and accelerate progress.Acts with humility—shares credit, remains open to feedback, and prioritizes team success over individual recognition.Is smart in how they work with others—communicates clearly, collaborates across disciplines, and builds strong, trust-based relationships.Essential Responsibilities:
Evaluate membrane electrode assemblies, bipolar plates, gas diffusion layers, and sealingBuild and test laboratory single cells and short stacks.Maintain the development laboratory and equipment to produce reliable and quality test data.Develop and maintain data acquisition systems for fuel cell systems data.Evaluate COTS systems components.Support manufacturing efforts in factory acceptance testing and quality.Analytical analysis, including optical and scanning electron microscopy.Qualifications & Experience:
Required:
A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrochemical or Chemical Engineering, or equivalent.Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience working with electrochemical systems (e.g., fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries, or similar)Proven accomplishments in the development of electrochemical systems.Understanding of how to use design, modeling and control strategies to translate the attributes of electrochemical materials to system level performance.Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with a range of engineering, controls, and manufacturing disciplines.Ability to travel between sites in Virginia and to vendor sites in the US and abroad, as required.Ability to obtain a DOD Secret clearance. Must be a "U.S. Person" (citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) per ITAR/EAR requirements.Preferred:
Working knowledge of electrochemical methods, such as impedance spectroscopy, and analytical tools, such as scanning electron microscopy.Use of machine learning for the analysis of test results.Experience with lithium ion batteries and/or water electrolyzers.Physical Requirements:
Ability to work safely in laboratory and light manufacturing environments, including around pressurized gases (e.g., hydrogen), electrical systems, and test equipment.Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout lab and production areas for extended periods during testing, assembly, and troubleshooting activities.Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach to assemble, inspect, and maintain fuel cell stacks and related components.Ability to lift, carry, and position materials and equipment up to 40 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation.Sufficient manual dexterity to handle small components, tubing, fittings, wiring, and instrumentation with precision.Ability to operate standard laboratory and shop tools, including hand tools, measurement devices, and diagnostic equipment.Visual acuity to read instrumentation, monitors, and schematics, and to identify defects or irregularities in components and assemblies.Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, and other protective gear as required.Ability to work in environments with variable noise levels, temperatures, and proximity to operating machinery and ventilation systems.Ability to climb ladders or use step stools as needed to access equipment or test setups.Benefits Overview:
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Title: Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Powertrain Engineer
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Winchester, Virginia & Sterling, Virginia
FLSA: Exempt
About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don't just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we've earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.
We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.
Role Summary:
As a founding Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Powertrain Engineer, you will be responsible for understanding and correlating hybrid fuel cell powertrain performance to flight conditions, including operation in extreme environments. You will bring the tools and technical insight needed to optimize system efficiency—reducing the energy required for ground-based hydrogen production while extending fuel cell endurance and in-flight capability.
We are seeking an engineer who is hungry, humble, and smart—someone who is driven to push the boundaries of performance and efficiency, collaborates openly across disciplines, and applies rigorous, data-driven thinking to complex system challenges. Your work will directly influence how our systems integrate into defense, public safety, and commercial sectors, ensuring that Heven AeroTech remains the gold standard for rugged, high-performance autonomous systems.
Essential Responsibilities:
Model hybrid powertrain topologies, determining the optimal balance between fuel cell power output and energy storage (battery) requirements.Develop procedures to intake field data from hydrogen production and UAS systems to understand performance and durability under normal to extreme conditions.Collaborate with software teams to develop control strategies to optimize fuel consumption, stack longevity, and transient response.Continuously evaluate practices using data-driven decision-making and lead program closure activities.Qualifications & Experience:
Required:
Preferred:
Ability to use machine learning to characterize and optimize electrochemical systems.Experience with digital twins.Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing environments for validating powertrain control logic.Proficiency in tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, or Ansys for powertrain performance modeling.Experience with lithium-ion batteries.Physical Requirements:
Ability to work in a combination of office, laboratory, and field environments, including production facilities and outdoor test sites.Ability to sit for extended periods while working on computers, modeling tools, and data analysis, as well as stand and walk for extended periods during testing and site visits.Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull equipment and materials up to 25 pounds, and up to 40 pounds occasionally with assistance.Ability to use hands and fingers to handle equipment, connect instrumentation, and support test setup activities requiring fine motor skills.Ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection when working in laboratory or field environments.Ability to work safely around hydrogen systems, electrical systems, and mechanical equipment in accordance with established safety protocols.Ability to operate in environments that may include moderate noise, moving mechanical parts, temperature variations, and outdoor weather conditions, including extreme environments as required for testing.Ability to visually inspect test setups, instrumentation, and system components, as well as read and interpret technical data and computer displays (including close vision and depth perception).Ability to access and navigate test and production areas, which may include climbing stairs, ladders, or platforms.Ability to travel between sites and support on-site testing, including occasional extended hours or non-standard schedules during critical test events or program milestones.Benefits Overview:
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Title: UAS Composites Engineer
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Bingen, Washington
FLSA: Exempt
About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don't just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we've earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.
We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.
Role Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled UAS Engineer with a focus on composite structures and payload integration to support the design, development, and deployment of advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This role bridges airframe engineering and mission capability, ensuring that composite structures and payload systems are efficiently integrated, structurally sound, and optimized for performance.
The ideal candidate combines hands-on experience with composite materials, strong systems-level thinking, and a design-for-manufacturing mindset to integrate sensors, electronics, and mission-specific payloads into robust, flight-ready platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Design, analyze, and optimize highly manufacturable composite airframe structures (fuselage, wings, mounts, enclosures), applying Design for Manufacturing principles to ensure scalable and reliable production.Select appropriate composite materials (carbon fiber, fiberglass, resins, cores) based on performance, weight, reliability, and manufacturability trade-offs.Develop CAD models, drawings, and documentation for composite components using tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or NX.Perform structural analysis (FEA, hand calculations) to validate strength, stiffness, durability, and performance margins with attention to detail and analytical rigor.Support fabrication processes including layup, curing, trimming, and finishing with a focus on repeatable, high-quality manufacturing outcomes.Lead integration of payload systems including sensors, cameras, communication modules, and mission-specific equipment, ensuring cross-disciplinary collaboration across mechanical, electrical, and software teams.Define mechanical, electrical, and thermal interfaces between payloads and airframe, ensuring robust integration and system reliability.Design mounting solutions that ensure stability, vibration isolation, serviceability, and operational durability.Manage payload weight, balance, and power constraints while applying systems thinking to evaluate impacts on flight performance, CG, endurance, and structural loads.Conduct trade studies to balance payload capability with range, endurance, and overall mission performance.Support system architecture development and configuration control across evolving UAS platforms.Plan and execute ground and flight tests for structural and payload validation, leveraging test data to iterate and improve designs.Troubleshoot integration issues in fast-paced development cycles and implement effective corrective actions.Develop and document repeatable manufacturing processes for composite components in collaboration with suppliers and internal teams.Support transition from prototype to low-rate and full-rate production environments.Required Qualifications
7+ years of experience in UAS, aerospace, or related industries.Strong experience with composite materials and fabrication methods.Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or equivalent).Experience with payload integration at the mechanical and/or systems level.Understanding of structural analysis and basic FEA tools.Familiarity with UAS platforms, flight dynamics, and system-level constraints.Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a focus on reliability and performance.Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, iterative engineering environments.Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines.Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.Experience with small to medium UAS platforms.Knowledge of vibration isolation and thermal management for payload systems.Hands-on experience with composite layup and rapid prototyping.Familiarity with avionics, sensors, and communication systems.Experience with 3D printing, CNC machining, and tooling design.Understanding of regulatory considerations (FAA, MIL standards, etc.).Benefits Overview:
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Title: UAS Composites Engineer
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Sterling, Virginia
FLSA: Exempt
About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don't just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we've earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.
We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.
Role Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled UAS Engineer with a focus on composite structures and payload integration to support the design, development, and deployment of advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This role bridges airframe engineering and mission capability, ensuring that composite structures and payload systems are efficiently integrated, structurally sound, and optimized for performance.
The ideal candidate combines hands-on experience with composite materials, strong systems-level thinking, and a design-for-manufacturing mindset to integrate sensors, electronics, and mission-specific payloads into robust, flight-ready platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Design, analyze, and optimize highly manufacturable composite airframe structures (fuselage, wings, mounts, enclosures), applying Design for Manufacturing principles to ensure scalable and reliable production.Select appropriate composite materials (carbon fiber, fiberglass, resins, cores) based on performance, weight, reliability, and manufacturability trade-offs.Develop CAD models, drawings, and documentation for composite components using tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or NX.Perform structural analysis (FEA, hand calculations) to validate strength, stiffness, durability, and performance margins with attention to detail and analytical rigor.Support fabrication processes including layup, curing, trimming, and finishing with a focus on repeatable, high-quality manufacturing outcomes.Lead integration of payload systems including sensors, cameras, communication modules, and mission-specific equipment, ensuring cross-disciplinary collaboration across mechanical, electrical, and software teams.Define mechanical, electrical, and thermal interfaces between payloads and airframe, ensuring robust integration and system reliability.Design mounting solutions that ensure stability, vibration isolation, serviceability, and operational durability.Manage payload weight, balance, and power constraints while applying systems thinking to evaluate impacts on flight performance, CG, endurance, and structural loads.Conduct trade studies to balance payload capability with range, endurance, and overall mission performance.Support system architecture development and configuration control across evolving UAS platforms.Plan and execute ground and flight tests for structural and payload validation, leveraging test data to iterate and improve designs.Troubleshoot integration issues in fast-paced development cycles and implement effective corrective actions.Develop and document repeatable manufacturing processes for composite components in collaboration with suppliers and internal teams.Support transition from prototype to low-rate and full-rate production environments.Required Qualifications
7+ years of experience in UAS, aerospace, or related industries.Strong experience with composite materials and fabrication methods.Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or equivalent).Experience with payload integration at the mechanical and/or systems level.Understanding of structural analysis and basic FEA tools.Familiarity with UAS platforms, flight dynamics, and system-level constraints.Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a focus on reliability and performance.Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, iterative engineering environments.Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines.Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.Experience with small to medium UAS platforms.Knowledge of vibration isolation and thermal management for payload systems.Hands-on experience with composite layup and rapid prototyping.Familiarity with avionics, sensors, and communication systems.Experience with 3D printing, CNC machining, and tooling design.Understanding of regulatory considerations (FAA, MIL standards, etc.).Benefits Overview:
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
