Design, develop, and optimise the systems that power unmanned aerial vehicles. A critical role in the rapidly evolving drone industry.
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.
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.
Based on advertised midpoints across the 17 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.
% of 30 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.
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.
Assist in the design and testing of UAV systems, working under the guidance of senior engineers.
Take ownership of specific system components, lead small projects, and contribute to the overall design process.
Lead major projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Oversee the entire UAV systems engineering function, drive innovation, and influence strategic decisions.
There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.
Start with foundational roles, assisting in design and testing under supervision.
Gain expertise in specific areas such as aerodynamics, propulsion, or control systems.
Take on leadership roles, managing small to medium-sized projects and teams.
Lead major projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure compliance with industry standards.
Oversee the entire UAV systems engineering function, drive innovation, and influence strategic decisions.
Helsing
Shape the system architecture, requirements and certification evidence for a jet-powered interceptor within an air defence system. Day to day you elicit stakeholder needs, maintain a JAMA requirements baseline, run trade studies and MBSE architecture work, own interface control documents and coordinate safety and certification activities.
JAMA
Helsing
Owns the top-level L0/L1 architecture of a distributed C-UAS system-of-systems, partitioning the capability into network, sensor and effector subsystems and defining the interfaces between them. Works on decentralised, hardware-agnostic designs enabling engage-on-remote and launch-on-remote, collaborating daily with situational awareness, interceptor integration, AI, software and hardware teams.
Tactical Networking · Mesh Communications · Resilient Data Links +1
Saab
Develops and maintains SysML models for underwater robotics product systems, capturing, decomposing and tracing customer requirements across the full project lifecycle. Bridges mechanical, electrical, electronic and software domains using model-based systems engineering, supporting both product customisation and R&D projects within the Seaeye business unit.
SysML · UML
QinetiQ
Designs and develops production-level autonomy software for complex military aviation systems, using C (ideally C++) and Matlab. Owns technical work packages, contributes to algorithm development for autonomous and decision-support systems, and models uncrewed systems in synthetic environments. Supports hardware integration, testing and formally assessed trials in the UK and overseas alongside multidisciplinary teams.
MATLAB
Leonardo
Designs, develops and verifies navigation systems and algorithms for airborne, maritime and land platforms, covering sensor fusion, state estimation and PNT solutions for contested environments. Works across the full engineering lifecycle, from concept and modelling to integration, verification and customer support, using MATLAB/Simulink and Kalman filtering techniques within a multidisciplinary, multi-national team.
MATLAB · Simulink · GNSS +7
Leonardo
Develops high-integrity real-time mission management software for both legacy manned helicopters and emerging uncrewed autonomous platforms. Works across UML modelling, Ada95/C/C++ implementation, DOORS requirements traceability, and hardware-in-the-loop integration, while navigating DO-178C certification and open architecture standards like FACE/MOSA.
FACE · MOSA · SysML +7
Shield AI
Bridges systems engineering, software and autonomy to deliver advanced autonomous systems for defense. Translates mission needs into requirements, architectures and interface definitions, while developing and debugging C++ and Python prototypes and test infrastructure. Works across autonomy, GNC, avionics and test teams through simulation, HIL and flight test.
Hivemind Autonomy
Callen Lenz
Deliver systems engineering outputs across the full lifecycle for complex uncrewed aircraft systems, covering requirements capture and management, system architecture, integration, verification and validation, and risk management. Work within multidisciplinary teams spanning software, electronics, mechanical, payload and platform engineering, supporting qualification and flight test activities.
UAS · Autonomy · Mission Systems +1
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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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