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Autonomy Engineer Jobs

Engineers who build the software that lets uncrewed aircraft fly missions on their own. Navigation, planning and decision-making.

Open roles
6
Hiring companies
2
View 6 live roles → Get an alert

Autonomy Engineers on uncrewed systems develop the software that plans and executes missions without a pilot in the loop: navigation, path planning, sensor fusion, collision avoidance and mission management. The work spans simulation, integration with flight control, and flight testing.

Employers include defence companies, drone manufacturers and autonomy start-ups. Adverts ask for C++ and Python, robotics or guidance experience, and familiarity with simulation and flight test.

What the role does

Inside the role of an Autonomy Engineer

Most weeks mix development in simulation with integration work and support for flight tests.

  1. 01
    Develop planning and navigation software.
  2. 02
    Test behaviours in simulation.
  3. 03
    Integrate autonomy with flight control systems.
  4. 04
    Support flight tests and analyse the data.
  5. 05
    Work on safety and assurance evidence.
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 6 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
100%
C++
83%
Autonomy
67%
Sensor Fusion
50%
Linux
50%
Robotics
50%
Embedded Systems
50%
Software Engineering
33%
RTOS
33%
Shell Scripting
33%
Sensor Integration
33%
Machine Learning
17%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for autonomy engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Autonomy Engineer

    0–3 yrs

    Develops and tests autonomy components within an existing system.

  2. Level 2

    Senior Autonomy Engineer

    3–7 yrs

    Owns an autonomy capability from design to flight test.

  3. Level 3

    Staff Autonomy Engineer

    7–10 yrs

    Sets autonomy architecture and leads integration.

  4. Level 4

    Principal / Head of Autonomy

    10+ yrs

    Owns autonomy strategy and assurance across platforms.

Pathway

How to become a Autonomy Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Build maths and software foundations

    Control, estimation and C++ are the core skills.

  2. 2

    Learn robotics and guidance

    Planning, sensor fusion and simulation tools.

  3. 3

    Get flight or field experience

    Student UAV teams, research projects or placements.

  4. 4

    Own autonomy capabilities

    Take features from simulation into flight.

  5. 5

    Lead autonomy programmes

    Own architecture and assurance for whole systems.

Live jobs

6 live roles

Shield AI

Autonomy Integration Engineer (R5245)

  • London
  • Hybrid
  • Senior

Integrates autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft, owning pre-flight build, configuration and validation across onboard compute, sensors and control interfaces. Supports live flight tests with travel around 30-40% of the year, debugging embedded and real-time systems in lab and field, and analysing flight data with autonomy and GNC teams.

ROS · DDS · Linux +5

5 months ago

Shield AI

Senior Autonomy Integration Engineer

  • London
  • Hybrid
  • Senior

Integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft, owning build, configuration and validation of flight-ready systems across onboard compute, sensors and control interfaces. Support live flight tests with travel around 30-40% of the year, debugging embedded and autonomy stacks in lab and field, capturing and analysing flight data, and working with autonomy, GNC and test teams.

ROS · DDS · Hivemind +5

4 months ago

Leonardo

Principal/Senior Systems Engineer - Autonomy and Sensor Fusion

  • Edinburgh
  • Hybrid
  • Lead · manages people
  • Permanent

Research and develop next-generation autonomy, sensor fusion and navigation algorithms, building demonstrator models for autonomous decision-making at sensor, platform and mission level. Work in a multi-discipline team, planning work packages, mentoring junior engineers and presenting findings to internal and customer stakeholders. Coding is primarily in Python with Git/Bitbucket and Agile methods.

Git · Bitbucket · Kanban

DV clearance 3 days ago

Shield AI

Staff Systems Engineer - Autonomy & Software

  • London
  • Hybrid
  • Senior

Bridges systems engineering, software and autonomy to deliver advanced autonomous systems for defense. Translates mission needs into requirements, architectures and interface definitions, while developing and debugging C++ and Python prototypes and test infrastructure. Works across autonomy, GNC, avionics and test teams through simulation, HIL and flight test.

Hivemind Autonomy

2 months ago

Shield AI

Manager, Autonomy Applications Engineering (R5188)

  • London
  • Hybrid
  • Mid-level · manages people

Lead and coach a team of Forward Deployed Engineers supporting customer deployment, onboarding and sustained use of the Hivemind autonomy SDK in real-world operational environments. The role combines people management, technical escalation and field feedback loops, partnering with product and engineering to improve deployment playbooks and customer readiness. Requires strong C++ and Python background plus up to 30% travel.

Hivemind SDK · Hivemind · V-BAT +2

5 months ago

Shield AI

Senior Staff Engineer, Autonomy Software Integration & Test (R5539)

  • London
  • Hybrid
  • Senior

Hands-on engineering role developing, integrating and flight-testing autonomy software for unmanned and autonomous aircraft, spanning C++/Python development, hardware bring-up, telemetry analysis and live field operations. Works across software, avionics, radios and flight controllers, supporting SIL/HIL/VIL simulation and demonstrations, primarily in the Lviv region with travel across Ukraine.

MAVLink · PX4 · ArduPilot +7

3 months ago
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

London

Location
5 open
FAQs

Common questions

  • The core skills overlap heavily, but aircraft add flight dynamics and stricter safety assurance.

  • Defence roles often do. Adverts state when it applies.

  • C++, Python, ROS and simulation environments appear in most adverts.

  • The salary section on this page is drawn from live adverts on the board.

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