10 jobs for “Drone Pilot”
National Crime Agency Gillingham £47,049 pa
Lead drone pilot for the NCA's Technical Operations unmanned vehicle programme, responsible for flight planning and clearances, piloting a range of UAS and USV platforms, and developing innovative technical surveillance capabilities. The role involves training the drone cadre, engaging with the Civil Aviation Authority and suppliers, and acting as subject matter expert on unmanned vehicles.
Flarebright Bicester £39,000 – £49,000 pa
Contributes across the full development lifecycle, from concept and algorithm design to system integration, testing and troubleshooting of safety-critical navigation and autonomy software in C++. Works with a multidisciplinary team on real-time embedded systems, hardware/software-in-the-loop testing and flight test activities, producing design documentation and test reports.
Matchtech Cambridge £45,000 pa
Lead pilot on complex drone missions across UK infrastructure projects, covering BVLOS, visual mitigation, fixed-wing, survey, LiDAR and inspection operations. Supervises deployed crews, mentors less experienced pilots and develops operational standards, procedures and mission plans. Involves configuring flight controllers, geofences and fail-safes, and analysing flight logs to improve performance.
Anduril Llanbedr
Hands-on role integrating hardware and software onto unmanned aerial systems, including sensors, actuators and control systems, and leading the design, build and test of UAS prototypes. Works with mechanical, software and systems engineers on rapid prototyping, test plans and troubleshooting, using ArduPilot, 3D printing, composites and RC piloting of VTOL and fixed-wing platforms.
ECM Selection Cambridge £90,000 – £130,000 pa
Senior engineer focused on mechanical design for drone detection and tracking systems, solving complex challenges, refining concepts and supporting prototyping in workshop and customer settings. Also involved in PCB-level electronics design, overseeing development and integration with mechanical systems within a small, specialised team.
ECM Selection Cambridge £60,000 – £90,000 pa
Lead applied RF engineering work, advancing signal processing pipelines and developing next-generation prototype technologies for defence and security applications. Day-to-day involves Python data analysis and prototyping (NumPy, SciPy, PyTorch), digital signal processing, SDR frameworks and analysis of wireless protocols. Fully on-site near the Cambridgeshire/Essex border, with security clearance required.
Platform Recruitment Saffron Walden £70,000 – £80,000 pa
Design, build and test RF-based systems from concept through to manufacture, working on airborne radars, drone sensors and LSWaP devices for GPS and radar communication. Collaborate with experts and customers to establish requirements, with hybrid working of three days a week in a state-of-the-art lab and R&D facility.
Windracers Fareham
Supports the Regulations & Safety team in developing airspace change requests, operational safety cases, SORA and other regulatory submissions, ensuring continued compliance and enabling VLOS and BVLOS operations. Duties include tracking applications, using GIS software to develop airspace structures, coordinating with flight operations, and assisting the Safety Manager with investigations. Suited to a recent graduate or junior aviation professional moving into uncrewed aviation regulation.
Matchtech Hampshire
Supports the Regulations & Safety team in monitoring drone regulations and preparing airspace change requests, safety cases and SORA assessments for VLOS and BVLOS operations. Involves GIS mapping, tracking regulatory applications and coordinating with Flight Operations, aimed at recent graduates or junior aviation professionals.
East Anglian Site Engineering Ipswich £32,000 – £45,000 pa
Carry out topographical and measured building surveys, terrestrial laser scanning, and point cloud processing, then produce accurate CAD drawings and survey deliverables. Take ownership of projects from site work through to final output, working independently while liaising with clients and the wider team across East Anglia, initially around Suffolk.
Helsing London
Own the end-to-end development of bespoke controllers for UAS platforms, from conception and simulation through physical integration and flight-test iteration. Design and validate state estimation, navigation and guidance algorithms for contested environments, working closely with flight mechanics, aerodynamics and embedded teams.
