VAK Industries LLC is a new Missouri company preparing a Phase I proposal for Navy SBIR topic DON27BZ02-NV022, “Collapsible Fixed-Wing Low-Cost UAS for ISR” (proposals due Jan 6, 2027).
I’m the founder, 16 years old, and I’ve designed and built the prototype so far. I’m looking for an experienced engineer to lead the technical side as PI, while I handle the market, the customer and the team.
We have an early-concept prototype in development: a hand-launched, foldable fixed-wing built around a Pixhawk-class autopilot and QGroundControl. CAD, printed structure and wing test sections are done; first flights are planned for December. The nose is a swappable module, so the next step is an “AI nose”: an onboard computer and camera that plug in as one unit for more autonomy (onboard detection and tracking) without redesigning the airframe.
Where we are (November 2026)
- Company: VAK Industries LLC formed in Missouri (Nov 3), EIN issued, SAM.gov registration started, and we’ve reached out to the Missouri SBDC and are registered for the APEX Accelerator’s government contracting training.
- Prototype: in research, development and testing.
- Site: vakindustries.com
We’re looking for a Principal Investigator to lead the technical work
- Engineering degree (aerospace, mechanical or electrical) and hands-on small fixed-wing UAS experience: design, flight test, ArduPilot/PX4.
- Bonus: companion computers and onboard computer vision (Jetson, Raspberry Pi, MAVLink/ROS).
- If we win, the PI works for VAK Industries full-time as their main job (about 40 hours a week) for the roughly 6-month Phase I project. (SBIR requires the PI’s primary employment to be with the company.)
- Now through Jan 6: part-time (unpaid) work co-writing the proposal with me. The PI leads the technical sections (approach, work plan, test plan); I handle the customer, business and budget sections. Expect roughly 30-60 hours over the next 7 weeks.
- Pay (if awarded): Phase I is a project of about 6 months. Estimated pay for those 6 months is about $50,000-$60,000, full-time. If we win a Phase II (a larger follow-on award), the job continues with more pay. Final amount set in the proposal budget. Nothing is paid before an award.
If you’re interested, reply here or email isaiah@vakindustries.com with a short note on your UAS experience. Happy to set up a call this week.
Isaiah Vakulich
Founder, VAK Industries LLC