Motor Development Lead

Who we are

Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America’s drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.

As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We’re hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years.

What you will be doing

As Motor Development Lead, you will spearhead the design, development, and validation of our propulsion systems to power next-generation unmanned platforms. Reporting directly to the Head of Engineering, you’ll own the end-to-end motor and powertrain roadmap from concept to flight-qualified, including not just the motors themselves but the production equipment and line used to manufacture them at scale.

Your mission:

• Lead design, prototyping, and performance validation of electric motors tailored for high-speed, high-payload FPV and loitering drones.
• Architect simulation models and run iterative performance tests to optimize torque, thrust, efficiency, thermal management, and weight.
• Develop machining, winding, and assembly processes for scalable production—ensuring manufacturability at volume.
• Identify and qualify the vendors who will provide the specialty raw materials and sub-components used in production.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and controls teams to ensure propulsion systems meet integration, thermal, and reliability requirements.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) reviews relating to motor subsystems.
• Create and maintain documentation including design specifications, electrical schematics, test procedures, and Bill of Materials (BOMs).
• Troubleshoot motor anomalies in the field and support root-cause analysis during system integration testing.
• Push performance boundaries through rapid iteration, leveraging first-principles thinking in collaboration with hardware and test teams.

You should have the following

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience designing and delivering electric motors —ideally for UAVs, robotics, or high-performance applications.
• Deep understanding of motor physics: electromagnetic design, winding techniques, thermal behavior, and torque-speed characterization.
• Proficiency with simulation tools (e.g., FEM, thermal analysis), CAD software, and electrical measurement systems.
• Hands-on experience building prototypes, conducting performance testing, and data-driven optimization.
• Track record scaling hardware from prototype to production, with attention to process repeatability and quality.
• Strong documentation skills: design specs, test instructions, manufacturing guidelines, and BOM management.
• A proactive, solution-oriented approach with the ability to adapt in fast-paced, startup-style engineering environments.
• Experience in DFx reviews and working closely with cross-functional teams (controls, mechanical, manufacturing).

US Salary Range

$110,000 - $180,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Neros' total compensation package.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.