Head of UAV Manufacturing & Engineering

About Drone Solutions and the Role

Drone Solutions is launching its Drone Manufacturing Plant (DMP) division in Harare, Zimbabwe, focused on assembling, manufacturing, integrating, and customising unmanned aerial vehicles for various commercial, industrial, security, and public-sector uses across Africa. We are searching for a highly skilled Head of UAV Manufacturing & Engineering to build and oversee the plant's engineering and production functions.

Position Summary

This is a hands-on leadership position requiring extensive practical expertise in UAV design, assembly, systems integration, manufacturing, customisation, and flight testing. The candidate will work directly on the workshop floor to tackle complicated engineering challenges and guarantee the technical quality, safety, and dependability of every drone produced.

Core Responsibilities

• Direct the setup and daily technical management of the Drone Manufacturing Plant.
• Develop and implement processes for assembly, integration, manufacturing, testing, and quality control.
• Lead innovation and production improvements of multirotor, fixed-wing, and VTOL drone platforms.
• Convert client and operational needs into practical, mission-specific UAV designs.
• Manage the advanced customization of drones for specialized applications including mapping, mining, agriculture, surveillance, infrastructure inspection, security, and emergency response.
• Supervise the integration of all major systems: airframes, propulsion, flight controllers, avionics, power and communications systems, telemetry, GNSS/RTK, sensors, and payloads.
• Create and maintain technical documentation such as bills of materials, engineering drawings, assembly instructions, and standard operating procedures.
• Set up systems for configuration control, serialization, traceability, and documentation.
• Lead prototyping, calibration, ground and flight testing, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis activities.
• Analyze flight data to resolve stability, vibration, propulsion, communication, navigation, payload, and reliability issues.
• Ensure proper tooling, workshop safety protocols, ESD protections, and equipment upkeep.
• Assess components, suppliers, and emerging technologies for suitability, quality, cost, and availability.
• Guarantee compliance with aviation, safety, quality, and operational standards.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and supervise engineers, technicians, and assembly staff.
• Foster a disciplined engineering culture emphasizing safety, quality, innovation, responsibility, and ongoing improvement.
• Advise executive leadership on product development, production capacity, investment needs, and UAV advancements.

Qualifications and Capabilities

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechatronics, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Robotics Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Postgraduate qualification or relevant professional certification is advantageous.
• Extensive hands-on experience in UAV design, assembly, integration, repair, customization, and flight testing.
• Proven leadership in technical teams, engineering workshops, manufacturing operations, or complex product development projects.
• In-depth knowledge of multirotor, fixed-wing, and VTOL aircraft systems and their components including aerodynamics, propulsion, motors, ESCs, propellers, batteries, and power management.
• Practical experience with flight control platforms such as ArduPilot, PX4, and associated mission planning software like Mission Planner or QGroundControl.
• Experience integrating GNSS, RTK/PPK, telemetry, radio communications, video links, autonomous navigation, and specialist payloads like EO/IR cameras, LiDAR, and multispectral sensors.
• Competency in configuring, calibrating, and tuning flight control systems and interpreting flight logs.
• Electronics skills including soldering, wiring, embedded systems, sensors, and communication equipment.
• Familiarity with CAD software, engineering design tools, additive manufacturing, CNC processes, composite materials, and rapid prototyping.
• Ability to produce technical documentation, manufacturing procedures, testing protocols, and inspection standards.
• Knowledge of quality management and aerospace manufacturing standards is a plus.

Personal Attributes

• Deep enthusiasm for drones, engineering, and UAV customization.
• Strong self-drive, discipline, and professionalism.
• High integrity, accountability, and ethical standards.
• Excellent technical judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented with uncompromising focus on product quality.
• Ability to work autonomously and handle critical technical decisions.
• Capability to develop systems, processes, and teams from inception.
• Effective leadership, communication, and mentoring abilities.
• Willingness to participate actively in assembly, testing, and troubleshooting activities.
• Perseverance to establish a new manufacturing operation successfully.

Additional Application Information

Interested candidates should submit a detailed CV, a succinct cover letter explaining their suitability, a technical portfolio of UAV or related systems they've designed or worked on, supporting materials such as photos or videos, copies of academic and professional certificates, and details on current location, availability, and relocation willingness. Applications must be sent via email with the subject line "Application — Head of UAV Manufacturing & Engineering" before 17 July 2026. Only candidates with confirmed hands-on UAV engineering experience will be considered. Drone Solutions invites applications from skilled professionals committed to engineering excellence and advancing drone manufacturing capability in Africa.