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Contributor Disciplines

Arrow keeps one shared list of contributor disciplines: the kinds of work people actually do here. The same tags show up in three places:

  • Bounty board — bounties are tagged with the disciplines they need, and the board's sections are the categories below.
  • Contributor map — your profile card shows up to 3 disciplines that you pick when you register.
  • Project tooling — matching open work to the people who can do it.

Because everything reads from the same list, the tags always line up. A bounty tagged Manufacturing: Composites is asking for exactly what a contributor who registered Composites offered.

The taxonomy

Nine categories, each holding a handful of disciplines. The tags describe the kind of work, not seniority or specific tools. They're broad on purpose, so they stay useful as projects change.

Engineering

Design & build the aircraft

MechanicalParts, mechanisms, structures — hardware that survives flight
CAD3D modeling, drawings, design for print & machining
ElectricalPCBs, wiring harnesses, power distribution, sensors
AerodynamicsProps, airflow, performance analysis
PowerBatteries, packs, charging, energy storage
PropulsionMotors, ESCs, props — turning stored energy into thrust
CertificationAirworthiness standards, means of compliance, design assurance
SafetyFMEA, failure analysis, reliability engineering

Flight Systems

The brains in the air

FirmwareAutopilot & embedded code — ArduPilot, drivers, sensors
SoftwareFlight-stack software — GCS, SDKs, companion computers, log tools
ControlsFlight dynamics, tuning, control theory
AutonomyComputer vision, obstacle avoidance, autonomous missions
TelemetryData links, MAVLink streams, log pipelines, ground station data
SimulationSITL, digital twins, simulation scenarios

Flight Ops

Fly, test & keep them flying

PilotingFlying the aircraft — manual and mission operations
Flight TestStructured test flights, logs, test reports
MaintenanceInspection, repair, keeping airframes airworthy
SupportHelping builders & operators — onboarding, troubleshooting, training
RegulatoryAirspace rules, waivers, per-country operating compliance
MissionsPlanning & running real-world operations — spraying, survey, cargo

Manufacturing

Make & ship real parts

3D PrintingPrinted parts, printer tuning, materials
MachiningCNC, milling, turning
CompositesCarbon/glass layups, molds
AssemblyBuilding kits & aircraft, harness work
SourcingBOMs, vendors, procurement
QualityInspection, acceptance criteria, process control

Design

How Arrow looks & feels

IndustrialPhysical product design, enclosures, ergonomics
InterfaceUI/UX for tools, apps, and sites
GraphicsBrand, visual design, motion

Content

Teach & tell the story

DocumentationGuides, manuals, wiki, build docs
MediaVideo, photography, storytelling
Social MediaChannels, posting, distribution

Growth

Bring the world in

MarketingPositioning, campaigns, outreach
CommunityOnboarding, events, keeping the DAO healthy
Business DevelopmentPartnerships, sales, finding customers

Local

Run Arrow where you live

HostingFacilitating & hosting meetups and local gatherings
WorkshopsOpening & running build spaces — local manufacturing nodes
VertiportsLanding infrastructure & local flight networks (concept work)

Operations

Run the DAO machinery

GovernanceAIPs, proposals, voting process
TokenomicsToken economics, incentives, models
CoordinationProject management, synthesis, keeping work legible
LegalContracts, compliance, IP & licensing
ToolingDAO infrastructure — website, bots, CI, automation

How it's used

Tagging a bounty. The bounty issue form lists every discipline as a checkbox. Tick the ones a contributor needs to do the work — most bounties need one to three.

Registering on the map. The /new-contributor Discord command asks for up to 3 disciplines. Pick the ones you want to be found for, because that's how other contributors discover you.

Changing the list. The taxonomy is community-approved and versioned, and it moves slowly on purpose: bounties, profiles, and tooling all reference it. Additions or renames go through community review, not a quick PR. Think a discipline is missing? Raise it in the Arrow Discord.