Director of Headset and Camera

Unusual Machines is a U.S.-based drone and drone parts company focused on the small and First-Person View (FPV) segments of the drone market. Our brands - Rotor Riot and Fat Shark - are two of the most respected names in FPV and have helped shape the industry through e-commerce, product development, and a deep connection with the pilot community.

We’re expanding into enterprise and defense - bringing our obsessive attention to performance, design, and U.S.-based manufacturing into high-stakes environments like search and rescue and military innovation. With several of our products already approved by the Defense Innovation Unit, we’re solving procurement issues for customers who demand speed, agility, and compliance.

If you love working at the intersection of community, content, and cutting-edge technology, you’ll feel right at home here.

You in This Role You will lead optical engineering, hardware integration, and product development for our advanced drone platforms. Key duties include managing R&D teams, designing advanced lens systems, and integrating imaging sensors with virtual/augmented reality headsets and aerial payloads.

What You’ll Do

• Optical Strategy: Lead the design, testing, and mass production of custom lenses, camera modules, and near-eye display optics for headsets and drone gimbals.
• Team Leadership: Hire, mentor, and direct multi-disciplinary engineering teams across the optical, mechanical, and electrical domains.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Partner with software and firmware teams to optimize image stabilization, auto-focus, low-latency video transmission, and display clarity.
• Vendor Management: Oversee external manufacturing partners, component sourcing, and budget tracking to ensure high-quality, cost-effective hardware delivery.

What You’ll Bring

• Education: Bachelors of Science; Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field is highly preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years in optical system design, with 3+ years in a senior leadership or management role.
• Product Lifecycle: Proven track record of leading optical products from concept through validation, manufacturing, and mass production.
• Manufacturing Expertise: Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and supplier qualification.
• Systems Integration: Hands-on experience integrating optical systems with image sensors, displays, embedded electronics, and mechanical assemblies in AR/VR/MR or imaging products.
• Technical Proficiency: Deep expertise in CAD (SolidWorks or Fusion 360), optical component testing and characterization, camera sensor integration, and micro-display technology for AR/VR/MR headsets.

Compensation - $140, 000 - $170,000

Relocation is not provided for this role.

Benefits

• Equity is included for all exempt positions
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Daily Catered Lunches

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

Unusual Machines participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

Candidates must be a US Citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for employment