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 Embedded Recruitment Solutions — UAV & Embedded Systems
Harrogate HG2 8ER • +44 (0)1423 876 356 • info@ko2.co.uk • ko2.co.ukIC Resources — UAV & Aerospace Electronics
Reading RG7 4SA • +44 (0)118 988 1150 • enquiry@ic-resources.com • ic-resources.comPlatform Recruitment — UAV, Robotics & Mechatronics
London N12 0BP • +44 (0)20 8445 4577 • UK@platform-recruitment.com • platform-recruitment.comEnigma People Solutions — Sensors, Photonics & Embedded
Edinburgh EH1 3QB • +44 (0)131 510 8150 • hello@enigmapeople.com • enigmapeople.comLine Up Aviation — Aviation, MRO & UAV Ops
Horsham RH13 5PY • +44 (0)1403 217 688 • info@luap.com • luap.comMane Contract Services — Aerospace, Defence & UAV
Watford WD25 7GS • +44 (0)1923 470 700 • info@mane.co.uk • mane.co.ukMorson Talent — Defence, Aerospace & UAS
Salford M50 1RD • +44 (0)161 707 1516 • enquiries@morson.com • morson.comJAM Recruitment — Defence & Aerospace Engineering
Cheadle SK8 3TD • +44 (0)161 962 6111 • info@jamrecruitment.co.uk • jamrecruitment.co.ukHolt Executive — SATCOM, Aerospace & UAV Connectivity
Bournemouth BH8 8ES • 03333 448009 • info@holtexecutive.com • holtexecutive.comMatchtech — Defence, Security & UAS
Fareham PO15 7AF • +44 (0)1489 898 989 • info@matchtech.com • matchtech.com
3. Choosing the Right Recruiter
Embedded flight control, autonomy & onboard software: KO2, IC Resources, Platform, Enigma
UAV operations, pilots & aviation-side hiring: Line Up Aviation, Morson, Mane
Hybrid defence/UAS programmes & cleared roles: Matchtech, JAM, Morson
UAV comms / SATCOM / payload connectivity: Holt Executive
4. In‑Demand UAV Skills (2025)
PX4/ArduPilot flight stacks; guidance, navigation & control
Safety-critical embedded (DO-178C/DO-254), FPGA/SoC, RTOS
Payloads (EO/IR, LiDAR), integration & environmental test
GNSS-denied navigation, perception (SLAM), autonomy pipelines
UK CAA rules (Open/Specific/Certified), SORA, operator docs; security clearance for defence projects
5. Interview Prep Expectations
Technical: control loops, sensor fusion, failsafe design, comms links
Practical: payload integration or flight-test plan walkthrough
Compliance: CAA operating categories, risk mitigations, safety cases
Behavioural: cross-functional delivery with airworthiness, safety and software teams
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.
