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UAV Systems Engineer Jobs

Design, develop, and optimise the systems that power unmanned aerial vehicles. A critical role in the rapidly evolving drone industry.

Open roles
4
Salary range
£44k – £90k
Hiring companies
2
View 4 live roles → Get an alert

UAV Systems Engineers are at the forefront of the drone revolution, responsible for designing, developing, and optimising the systems that power unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These engineers work across a range of industries, from aerospace and defence to agriculture and environmental monitoring. They collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure that drones are not only functional but also safe, efficient, and compliant with regulatory standards.

What the role does

Inside the role of a UAV Systems Engineer

A typical week for a UAV Systems Engineer is a mix of design, testing, and collaboration. Time is split between the office, lab, and sometimes fieldwork.

  1. 01
    Conduct system design and simulation.
  2. 02
    Perform hardware and software integration tests.
  3. 03
    Collaborate with cross-functional teams on project milestones.
  4. 04
    Analyse data from flight tests and simulations.
  5. 05
    Document findings and prepare reports.
  6. 06
    Stay updated with industry regulations and standards.
Salary on the board

£44k – £90k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 10 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
29% of listings advertise a salary.
Distribution
10 priced listings
4
5
1
£40–60k
£60–80k
£80–100k
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 13 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Systems Engineering
54%
Requirements Management
38%
Radar
31%
ARP4754
23%
MATLAB
23%
RF Engineering
23%
Sensor Integration
23%
VHF
23%
RF Propagation
23%
MDA (Maritime Domain Awareness)
23%
IALA Standards
23%
SOLAS
23%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

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

  1. Level 1

    Junior UAV Systems Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in the design and testing of UAV systems, working under the guidance of senior engineers.

  2. Level 2

    UAV Systems Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Take ownership of specific system components, lead small projects, and contribute to the overall design process.

  3. Level 3

    Senior UAV Systems Engineer

    5–8 yrs

    Lead major projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.

  4. Level 4

    Principal UAV Systems Engineer

    8+ yrs

    Oversee the entire UAV systems engineering function, drive innovation, and influence strategic decisions.

Pathway

How to become a UAV Systems Engineer

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

  1. 1

    Entry-Level Engineer

    Start with foundational roles, assisting in design and testing under supervision.

  2. 2

    Specialised Engineer

    Gain expertise in specific areas such as aerodynamics, propulsion, or control systems.

  3. 3

    Project Lead

    Take on leadership roles, managing small to medium-sized projects and teams.

  4. 4

    Senior Engineer

    Lead major projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure compliance with industry standards.

  5. 5

    Principal Engineer

    Oversee the entire UAV systems engineering function, drive innovation, and influence strategic decisions.

Live jobs

4 live roles

Senior Systems Engineer

This role involves leading systems engineering activities for UAV development, including requirements management, system design, and integration. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless system integration and performance, with a focus on cutting-edge autonomous and unmanned aviation technologies.

Matchtech Herefordshire, United Kingdom £75,000 – £85,000 pa

Flight Control Systems Engineer

Develop and test safety-critical flight control software for unmanned aerial systems using MATLAB/Simulink, from algorithm design through simulation to real-world flight testing. Contribute to requirements, implementation, and validation within a multidisciplinary autonomy team. Work spans control law development, data algorithms, and deployment on embedded hardware in a secure R&D environment.

Saab Bedford, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Senior UAS Control Systems Engineer

This role involves developing and deploying flight-control algorithms for a UAS programme, ensuring the aircraft is stable and controllable. You will work on algorithm development, simulation, testing, and integration, collaborating closely with avionics, aerospace design, and test teams.

Matchtech Leeds, United Kingdom £50,000 – £90,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Head of Systems Engineering

This role involves leading the Systems Engineering discipline, setting technical vision, and ensuring alignment with Lifecycle Management processes. Responsibilities include strategic leadership, engineering governance, capability development, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on complex aerospace and defence solutions.

Saab United Kingdom
FAQs

Common questions

  • A degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is typically required. Relevant certifications and practical experience are also valuable.

  • Key skills include strong technical knowledge in aerodynamics, control systems, and materials science, as well as proficiency in CAD software and programming languages.

  • Industries such as aerospace, defence, agriculture, and environmental monitoring are major employers of UAV Systems Engineers.

  • UAV Systems Engineers often work in a mix of office, lab, and field environments, depending on the project phase and requirements.

  • Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and industry. For more detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

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