---
title: 'Machine Learning Engineer, Autonomy at Heven AeroTech'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-autonomy-heven-aerotech-bingen-svrp1f374m7k'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Machine Learning Engineer, Autonomy at Heven AeroTech

- **Company:** Heven AeroTech
- **Location:** Bingen, WA
- **Compensation:** $110k–$165k
- **Posted:** 2026-08-20
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/hevenaerotech/jobs/4373929009

## Job description

Title: Machine Learning Engineer, Autonomy Company: Heven AeroTech Location: Bingen, Washington or 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: Reporting to the Head of Mission Systems and Software, the Machine Learning Engineer - Autonomy develops and deploys machine learning and autonomy capabilities for Heven AeroTech uncrewed aircraft systems. The role focuses on practical UAS autonomy, including perception, tracking, sensor fusion, mission-level decision making, planning, and integration with flight-control, mission-system, onboard-compute, and payload interfaces. This engineer works closely with other Machine Learning Engineers, Platform Engineers, Flight Test, and aircraft engineering teams to take autonomy capabilities from development through simulation, integration, ground test, and flight test.

Essential Responsibilities:

- Develop, integrate, and deploy machine learning and autonomy capabilities for uncrewed aircraft, with emphasis on reliable operation on real aircraft and onboard compute.
- Develop mission-level autonomous behaviors using appropriate combinations of state machines, behavior trees, planners, optimization methods, deterministic logic, and machine learning.
- Develop and integrate perception capabilities including object detection, classification, tracking, scene understanding, sensor fusion, and geospatial reasoning.
- Integrate autonomy software with autopilots, companion computers, mission computers, sensors, payloads, data links, and GCS/C2 systems while maintaining clear interfaces with flight-control functions.
- Develop production-quality C++ and Python software for real-time and near-real-time execution, including optimization for NVIDIA GPU and embedded edge-compute platforms.
- Develop and use simulation, SIL, HIL, bench-test, and automated test environments to evaluate autonomy behavior and reduce risk prior to flight.
- Support aircraft integration, ground test, and flight test of autonomy capabilities, including analysis of logs and test data to characterize performance and drive improvements.
- Collaborate across Heven AeroTech with Machine Learning Engineers, Platform Engineers, Flight Test, avionics, electrical, mechanical, and other engineering teams.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required:

- BA/BS degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 2-5 years of experience developing and deploying machine learning or autonomy software on robotic, autonomous, or UAS platforms.
- Strong C++ and Python development skills, including Linux-based development and modern machine learning frameworks.
- Working knowledge of perception, sensor integration, autonomous decision making or planning, and real-time system integration.
- Professional working proficiency in English (spoken and written) is required to perform the responsibilities of this role.

Preferred:

- Direct experience with UAS autonomy, aircraft integration, or flight test.
- Experience with NVIDIA edge compute, CUDA/TensorRT, ROS 2, MAVLink, or comparable robotics and vehicle interfaces.
- Aerospace or defense experience and eligibility to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.

Physical Requirements:

- Ability to work effectively in a standard office, engineering laboratory, aircraft integration, hangar, and outdoor flight-test environment.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and work around aircraft, ground-support equipment, test equipment, and computing hardware for extended periods as required.
- Ability to lift, carry, and position equipment and components weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to safely work in outdoor environments and varying weather conditions during ground and flight-test activities.
- Ability to work around aircraft systems, electrical equipment, rotating equipment, batteries, and other laboratory/flight-test hazards while following applicable safety procedures and PPE requirements.
- Ability to visually inspect equipment, read computer displays, instrumentation, schematics, logs, and test data, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends, when required to support aircraft integration, ground testing, or flight-test operations.
- Ability and willingness to travel to company facilities, customer sites, and/or designated flight-test locations as required by the position.

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. Salary Range: $110,000—$165,000 USD

## About Heven AeroTech

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Heven AeroTech designs and manufactures hydrogen-powered drone systems for defense, public safety, and commercial missions, offering extended flight endurance, ultra-quiet operation, and zero-emission capabilities.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B)
- **Headquarters**: Sterling, Virginia, United States (with offices in Bingen, WA; Miami, FL; Dulles, VA; and Mevoh Carmel, Israel)
- **Founded**: 2019
- **Founders**: Bentzion Levinson (Founder & CEO)

## Core Business
- Primary industry/industries: Aerospace & Defense, Unmanned Systems, Hydrogen Technology
- Target customers: Defense forces (U.S. Army, national security agencies), public safety organizations, commercial operators (surveillance, logistics, monitoring)
- Mission or purpose statement: "Engineering the Next Era of American Aerospace" — fusing rapid-cycle development with the reliability of a national industrial asset to build the future of American aerospace.

## Products & Services
- **Z1**: A Blue UAS Select hydrogen-powered drone for national security and defense missions, offering ultra-quiet endurance and trusted performance.
- **Raider**: A heavy-lift, mission-ready drone built for reliability and adaptability, capable of carrying payloads across challenging environments.
- **H2D55**: A hydrogen-powered drone platform optimized for long-endurance monitoring of borders, critical assets, and logistics.
- **Urban X**: A drone designed for urban and public safety operations, providing extended aerial support during critical response situations.
- **ATLAS**: A multi-role drone platform that serves as the "ultimate multi-role toolbox" for various mission configurations.
- **Refuelers**: On-demand hydrogen production and refueling systems that ensure operational independence in the field.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company)
- **Total Funding**: $100.0M (Series B, November 2025, led by IonQ)
- **Key Metric**: Series B raised $100M; acquired HEVEN ENERGY LTD; awarded a U.S. Army Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) in March 2026 for the Z1 and associated hydrogen systems.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: IonQ (lead investor in Series B), Texas Venture Partners, Oracle Defense Ecosystem
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 136.5% YoY (61 employees as of mid-2026); expanded U.S. operations with new HQ in Sterling, VA; opened offices in Bingen, WA and Miami, FL; acquired Zepher Flight Labs; featured in The Defense Post; DIU (Defense Innovation Unit) approved the Z1 for the Blue UAS list.

## Competitive Advantages
- **First-mover in hydrogen-powered defense drones**: The only Blue UAS Select hydrogen-powered drone, providing a unique combination of ultra-quiet operation and extended flight endurance (up to 3x longer than battery-powered drones).
- **Vertical integration**: In-house hydrogen refueling technology (on-demand production) ensures operational independence and reduces logistics burden for customers.
- **Proven government contracts**: U.S. Army Basic Ordering Agreement and DIU approval signal trusted, mission-critical capability for defense customers.
- **Global talent pool**: Operations in both the U.S. and Israel combine American aerospace reliability with Israeli defense-tech innovation and rapid development cycles.
- **Strong IP and acquisitions**: Acquired HEVEN ENERGY LTD and Zepher Flight Labs, adding hydrogen fuel cell expertise and specialized flight capabilities.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling U.S. manufacturing and operations (new HQ in Virginia, expansion in Washington state and Florida).
- Deepening defense and government partnerships (Army BOA, Blue UAS listing).
- Integrating AI and quantum sensor technologies into drone platforms (hired VP of AI Samantha Hamilton; exploring quantum sensors).
- Expanding hydrogen infrastructure (refuelers and on-site production) to enable broader commercial adoption.
- Building a vertically integrated American aerospace company from design to production to field support.

## Why Work Here
- **High-growth environment**: 136.5% headcount growth YoY; company is scaling rapidly with significant funding and government contracts.
- **Mission-driven work**: Directly contribute to national security, public safety, and clean energy solutions through hydrogen-powered drone technology.
- **Global, collaborative culture**: Offices across the U.S. and Israel, with a diverse team of engineers, operations specialists, and defense veterans.
- **Strong leadership**: Experienced executives from defense, aerospace, and hydrogen industries (e.g., Karen Swider-Lyons as VP of Hydrogen Technology; Samantha Hamilton as VP of AI).
- **Active hiring**: 27 open positions as of mid-2026, including engineering roles (Mechanical, Fuel Cell, Production), technical roles (Assembly Technician, Configuration Manager), and compliance/supply chain roles (ITAR/EAR Specialist, Logistics Coordinator).
- **Hybrid/office policy**: Likely office-based given manufacturing and engineering focus, but multiple U.S. locations (Sterling, VA; Bingen, WA; Miami, FL) offer flexibility.
- **Perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge hydrogen and drone technology; exposure to defense and government contracting; potential for rapid career growth in a scaling organization.

## Sources
1. [LinkedIn - Heven AeroTech](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hevenaerotech)
2. [Heven Drones Official Website](https://hevendrones.com/)
3. [Heven AeroTech Official Website](https://hevenaerotech.com/)
4. [CB Insights - Heven AeroTech](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/heven-drones)
5. [Heven Drones - Contact Us](https://hevendrones.com/contact-us/)

## Other roles at Heven AeroTech

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- [Senior Engineering Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineering-project-manager-heven-aerotech-bingen-0zm7b9ha17py) — Bingen, WA
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- [Hydrogen System Design Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/hydrogen-system-design-engineer-heven-aerotech-winchester-0en0v9dpt9c8) — Winchester, VA
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- [Proposal Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/proposal-manager-heven-aerotech-sterling-vjem1rn0jbwc) — Sterling, VA
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- [IT Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/it-manager-heven-aerotech-sterling-4v3qek3m4xmg) — Sterling, VA