10 UAV Recruitment Agencies in the UK You Should Know (2025 Job‑Seeker Guide)
From unmanned aerial vehicles and autonomous drones to UAS software and payload integration, the UK UAV industry is on a steep growth curve. Lightcast data shows +37 % YoY growth in UK job ads mentioning “UAV”, “drone systems”, “UAS pilot” or “aerospace unmanned” in Q1 2025. Yet with fewer than 6,000 professionals in the field, demand far exceeds supply.
This guide lists 10 UK‑registered recruitment agencies whose primary focus includes UAV or drone-related hiring. Use it to connect with the right recruiters, prep for interviews, and land offers.
1. UK UAV Hiring Snapshot (2025)
Vacancy Growth & Geography
• +37 % YoY (Q1 2025)
• Regional hotspots: Bristol (14 %), London (30 %), Midlands (20 %), Wales & Scotland (combined 12 %)
• 65 % of roles onsite/hybrid due to hangar/lab access
Salary Benchmarks (mid‑level)
• UAV Systems Engineer: £60 k
• UAS Software Engineer: £65 k
• Flight Test Engineer: £58 k
• UAV Pilot (Commercial Ops): £45 k
Tip: Defence/aerospace UAV projects may require SC/DV clearance, which can boost salaries by 10–15 %.
2. Quick‑Reference Directory: Top 10 UK UAV Recruiters
• KO2 Recruitment – UAV & Embedded Systems — Harrogate HG1 1EP — +44 (0)1423 502 840 — info@ko2.co.uk — https://www.ko2.co.uk
• IC Resources – UAV & Aerospace Electronics — Reading RG7 4SA — +44 (0)118 988 1150 — info@ic-resources.com — https://www.ic-resources.com
• Platform Recruitment – UAV & Robotics — Wokingham RG41 2GY — +44 (0)118 907 6363 — info@platform-recruitment.com — https://www.platform-recruitment.com
• Enigma People – UAV & Embedded — Glasgow G2 1BP — +44 (0)141 332 4422 — hello@enigmapeople.com — https://www.enigmapeople.com
• Line Up Aviation – UAV & Aerospace — Gatwick RH6 0PA — +44 (0)1293 824 900 — info@luap.com — https://www.luap.com
• Mane Contract Services – UAV & Aviation — Watford WD17 1JJ — +44 (0)1923 470 700 — info@mane.co.uk — https://www.mane.co.uk
• Morson Talent – UAV & Defence — Salford M50 3SP — +44 (0)161 707 1516 — info@morson.com — https://www.morson.com
• JAM Recruitment – UAV & Defence Engineering — Altrincham WA14 1HB — +44 (0)161 905 7910 — info@jamrecruitment.co.uk — https://www.jamrecruitment.co.uk
• Holt Executive – UAV & Satellite Systems — Bournemouth BH2 5QJ — +44 (0)1202 708 500 — info@holtexecutive.com — https://holtexecutive.com
• Matchtech – Defence, Security & UAV — Fareham PO15 7AF — +44 (0)1489 898 989 — info@matchtech.com — https://www.matchtech.com/defence-jobs
All contact details verified July 2025. “Use website contact form” appears where inbox is not published.
3. Choosing the Right Recruiter
For embedded flight control → KO2, IC Resources
For drone operations & pilots → Holt Executive, Morson Talent
For hybrid aerospace/UAV → Line Up Aviation, Matchtech
4. In‑Demand UAV Skills (2025)
UAV flight control software (PX4, ArduPilot)
Aerospace-grade embedded systems (DO-178C/DO-254)
Payload integration & testing (EO/IR, LiDAR)
Autonomy & navigation (GNSS-denied, SLAM)
UAV regulations & compliance (CAA, EASA)
5. Interview Prep Expectations
• Technical Q&A: control systems, navigation algorithms
• Practical task: payload integration plan or mission profile
• Compliance scenario: CAA permissions, airspace safety
• Behavioural: cross-functional engineering collaboration
6. FAQs
Do recruiters charge candidates?
No—clients pay.
Do I need clearance?
For defence or government UAV work, SC/DV is often required.
Hiring timeline?
4–8 weeks; shorter for commercial UAV roles.
Multiple agencies?
Yes—but avoid duplicate submissions.
7. Next Steps
Shortlist 2–3 recruiters matched to your UAV specialism
Update CV with UAV projects, missions, or clearances
Book calls within 48 hours
Track submissions carefully
Upload Your CV
Post your résumé to UAVJobs.co.uk—shared with every recruiter above and UK UAV employers.
8. Final Word
From autonomous drone swarms to precision agriculture UAVs, UK opportunities are expanding. Partner with recruiters who focus on UAV talent so you can target the right roles and accelerate your career.
