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Drone Jobs in Southampton

Southampton is a hub for maritime and aerospace innovation, making it a prime location for drone technology and operations.

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Southampton, situated on the south coast of England, is a key centre for maritime and aerospace industries. This strategic location has attracted a range of companies and research institutions that are at the forefront of drone technology and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). From drone piloting and engineering to aerial surveying and counter-drone technology, the city offers a diverse array of opportunities for professionals in the drone sector. Many roles in Southampton involve close collaboration with maritime operations, making it a unique and dynamic environment for drone specialists.

Live jobs

1 live role

Principal DSP Engineer

Design and develop advanced digital signal processing algorithms for wireless communication systems, focusing on waveform design, modulation, coding, and channel estimation. Work across the full development lifecycle from simulation in MATLAB/Python to real-time implementation. Collaborate on SDR technology for high-reliability, secure data transmission in challenging environments.

DOMO TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS Whiteley, Hampshire, PO15 7LW, United Kingdom

Roles further afield

A little outside Southampton, but within reach.

Windracers logo

UAV/ Senior UAV Technician

This role involves hands-on assembly, systems installation, and testing of UAV airframes and components as part of a production line. The technician will work with engineering drawings, support flight operations, and maintain build documentation. Emphasis is placed on safety, process feedback, and cross-functional support during aircraft commissioning and testing.

Windracers Fareham, Hampshire, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent

UAS Technician

The UAS Technician supports the preparation, maintenance, and operation of Uncrewed Systems for Test & Evaluation trials at QinetiQ's Boscombe Down site. Responsibilities include building, testing, repairing, and disassembling Uncrewed Systems and payloads, conducting fault diagnosis, and ensuring compliance with aviation and safety standards. The role involves hands-on technical work with diverse UAS platforms in a regulated, safety-critical defence environment.

QinetiQ Amesbury, SP4 7EZ, United Kingdom £34,200 – £38,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required

Project Manager

Project Manager responsible for developing, procuring, and integrating test and evaluation systems for defence platforms. Role involves managing project lifecycles from proposal to delivery, ensuring safety, cost, and schedule adherence in realistic, instrumented environments. Frequent travel to remote UK test sites is required.

QinetiQ Amesbury, SP4 7EZ, United Kingdom £50,400 – £56,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required

Aircraft Electricians / Avionics

Assemble, install, test, and repair electronic and avionics systems in unmanned aircraft and associated ground equipment. Work within a multidisciplinary team to integrate systems, conduct diagnostics, and ensure compliance through precise technical work and documentation. Utilise test equipment, interpret schematics, and support pre-delivery preparation of UAS platforms.

MPI Limited Fareham, Hampshire, United Kingdom £28 ph
On-site Contract Clearance Required

Aircraft Technicians

Assemble, test, and maintain avionics and electronic systems for unmanned aircraft and associated ground equipment. Work within a production team to integrate and verify UAS systems, conduct diagnostics, and ensure compliance through accurate technical documentation and collaboration with engineers and operators.

MPI Limited Fareham, Hampshire, United Kingdom £28 ph
On-site Contract Clearance Required

System Design Engineer

Lead the integration of third-party COTS payloads such as radios, GPS, and AI vision/LIDAR hardware onto uncrewed aerial systems, focusing on hands-on engineering and physical calculations. Work within agile sprints to define interface control documents, perform RF and power budgeting, and review avionics schematics. The role emphasizes practical problem-solving over formal documentation processes.

Randstad Technologies Recruitment Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom £400 – £600 pd

Senior UAV Design Engineer

Lead the end-to-end design and development of unmanned aerial vehicle systems, from concept through to low-volume production, with full technical ownership of airframes, payload structures, and integrated systems. Drive mechanical design using Fusion 360, mentor junior engineers, and make key trade-off decisions balancing performance, weight, and manufacturability. Operate in a high-autonomy role shaping technical standards and influencing system architecture within a fast-moving aerospace technology environment.

Matchtech Havant, Hampshire, United Kingdom £70,000 – £75,000 pa

Fleet Support Spares Lead

Your role will be to plan for and lead the team and third-party resources in the maintenance and management of ground equipment, vehicles and spare parts required to support flying operations, customer flying operations, and the modification, maintenance, repair and...

Matchtech Fareham, Hampshire, United Kingdom
The scene

Hiring in Southampton

Southampton's strong maritime and aerospace presence has created a fertile ground for drone technology. Companies in these sectors often require drone specialists to enhance their operations, whether it's for environmental monitoring, surveying, or security. The city's proximity to the sea and its advanced research facilities make it an ideal location for professionals looking to specialise in maritime drone applications.

The local job market is diverse, with opportunities ranging from entry-level positions to senior roles. Many companies offer hybrid work models, allowing professionals to balance on-site fieldwork with remote data analysis and project management. This flexibility, combined with the city's vibrant tech community, makes Southampton an attractive location for drone professionals.

FAQs

Common questions

  • Common roles include drone pilots, engineers, data analysts, and UAS operators, often with a focus on maritime applications.

  • Many roles involve a mix of on-site and remote work, particularly for field operations and data analysis.

  • The maritime, aerospace, and environmental sectors are major employers of drone professionals in Southampton.

  • For detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page, which is updated regularly with live job listings.

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