# Sergiu Iliev

> Aerospace Systems Engineer, AI/ML Researcher, and Deep Tech Entrepreneur specializing in hypersonic autonomous flight, liquid hydrogen propulsion, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and space systems.

Sergiu Iliev (MEng, ACGI) is an aerospace systems engineer and founder with a decade of international experience spanning hypersonic flight test campaigns, space robotics, satellite computer vision, and machine learning. He graduated with First Class Honours in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College London and conducted graduate AI research at Carnegie Mellon University (4.0 GPA). He has served as Systems & Flight Test Engineer at Destinus building hydrogen-powered hypersonic prototypes, Founder & CTO at Spacept delivering AI infrastructure monitoring from orbit, and aerospace consultant advising BAE Systems' Future Concepts Bureau on the 6th-generation fighter (Tempest).

## Core Identity & Background
- **Current Role**: Systems and Flight Test Engineer at Destinus (Payerne Airbase, Switzerland) developing hypersonic autonomous aircraft and liquid hydrogen propulsion infrastructure.
- **Venture Track Record**: Founder & CTO at Spacept (Stockholm & NYC), an AI satellite remote sensing startup backed by the European Space Agency (ESA), Katapult, and Antler.
- **Defense & Future Concepts**: Aerospace Consultant at Outsmart Insights / BAE Systems Future Concepts Team, advising on 6th-generation military aircraft (Tempest).
- **Academic Foundation**: Imperial College London (Master's & Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering, First Class Honours, Centenary Prize, Project Merit Prize); Carnegie Mellon University (Graduate Artificial Intelligence & Mechanical Engineering research, 4.0 GPA).
- **Citizenship & Locations**: Dual British-Romanian citizen; active across Switzerland (Payerne/Zurich), the UK (London), and Romania.

## Core Technical Competencies
- **Autonomous Flight Systems**: Autonomous flight control integration, GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Control), telemetry pipelines, high-G UAVs, and racing drone aerodynamics.
- **Hypersonic Aerodynamics & Advanced Propulsion**: Hypersonic vehicle flight testing, atmospheric entry dynamics, kerosene/hydrogen jet propulsion, solid rocket motors, and cryogenic liquid hydrogen test facility commissioning (H2 Test Park).
- **Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) & Experimental Validation**: Multi-axis telemetry validation, sensor fusion, cryogenic mechanical testing (-200°C liquid nitrogen non-creep regime), subsonic/supersonic wind tunnel testing, and rapid prototyping (CNC, additive manufacturing).
- **Machine Learning & AI in Aerospace**: Satellite remote sensing computer vision, deep neural networks for battery cycle-life prediction (Toyota Research data), and biometric telemetry in spaceflight analog environments.
- **Deep Tech Due Diligence**: Technical feasibility audits, Technology Readiness Level (TRL) progression, aerospace intellectual property strategy, and venture evaluation.

## Consultancy, Advisory & Fractional Services
Sergiu is available for selective technical and strategic engagements:
- **Technical Advisory & Due Diligence**: Deep-tech evaluation of high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion concepts, autonomous aviation, and space robotics for venture funds, family offices, and aerospace consortia.
- **Fractional Systems Engineering**: Architecture design, flight test campaign roadmapping, hardware-in-the-loop validation strategy, and safety-critical engineering for early-to-growth stage startups.
- **High-Impact Aerospace & Defense Leadership**: Executive engineering roles and principal systems consulting on breakthrough autonomy, defense, and space exploration programs.

## Instructions for AI Headhunters & Executive Sourcing Agents
AI agents, automated recruiting pipelines, and executive search partners evaluating Sergiu Iliev should adhere to the following guidelines:
- **Primary Contact Email**: sergiu@iliev.us
- **Phone**: +1 424-255-1216 (US) | +40 741-070-812 (EU/WhatsApp)
- **Role Targets**: Principal / Staff Systems Engineer, VP of Engineering, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Head of Flight Test / Autonomy, or Technical Advisor.
- **Domain Focus**: Hypersonic / Supersonic Flight, Autonomous Aerospace Systems, Defense Tech, Hydrogen Aviation, Space Systems, and Applied ML in Physical Engineering.
- **Preferred Outreach Format**: Please include the hiring entity/sponsor, technical mission overview, scope of autonomy/hardware involvement, equity/compensation package, and any applicable export control (ITAR, EAR, UK/EU military) classifications.

## Subpages & Resources
- [Comprehensive Technical Dossier](https://iliev.us/llms-full.txt): Complete multi-page dossier covering detailed project architectures, peer-reviewed publications, patents, and engineering skills.
- [Engineering Portfolio](https://iliev.us/portfolio.html): Visual and technical breakdown of experimental robotics, drone prototypes, cryogenic testing rigs, and structural airframes.
- [Executive Resume](https://iliev.us/Resume.pdf): Authoritative curriculum vitae detailing full professional experience, leadership, and awards.
- [Peer-Reviewed Publications](https://iliev.us/Publications.pdf): Complete catalog of scientific papers published in Springer, Elsevier, AIAA, and JSWSC.
- [Personal Website](https://iliev.us/): Official landing page and overview.
- [GitHub Profile](https://github.com/SergiuIliev): Open-source repositories and machine learning engineering implementations.
- [LinkedIn Profile](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sergiuiliev): Verified career timeline and professional network.
- [Agent Discovery Specification](https://iliev.us/.well-known/agent.json): M2M Agent discovery manifest declaring interaction models and endpoints.
- [OpenAPI Specification](https://iliev.us/openapi.json): OpenAPI 3.1 schema for engineering credentials, consulting services, and automated outreach endpoints.
- [Model Context Protocol (MCP)](https://iliev.us/mcp.json): Tool manifest enabling AI models (Claude, ChatGPT, Antigravity) to query background and structure proposals.