UAV Engineer - Generalist

Workable
Chippenham
9 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

UAV Engineer

Lead UAV Engineer

Product Safety Engineer

Technical Sales Engineer

Quality Assurance Specialist

Software Integration Engineer

We’re building real UAVs from scratch, for actual customer requirements, from the ground up.

We own mechanical, aerodynamics, powerplant, electronics, wireless communication, sensor design, as well as customer interface.

And we’re looking for a generalist UAV Engineer to help us do it. This is a hands-on, full-stack hardware role for someone who can take an aircraft from napkin sketch to field deployment.

You’ll join a tight, high-performing team building production-ready systems after years of deep R&D. You’ll take full ownership of major parts of the aircraft—from aerodynamics to powerplant—and see your work fly in the real world, including with customers like coast guards and environmental agencies.

This isn’t theoretical engineering. You’ll be building, testing, shipping, and iterating. Fast.

Requirements

What you’ll do

  • Own large parts of our aircraft architecture—structure, power systems, batteries, aero, and more
  • Use first-principles physics to drive decisions and tradeoffs
  • Lead design reviews, perform analysis, and define testing plans
  • Prototype quickly, analyse results, and transition what works into production
  • Work directly with real-world users—from the Arctic to coastal patrol teams
  • Support field demos and customer deployments (yes, there will be travel)

You’ll be a great fit if you:

  • Have experience designing and prototyping UAVs or RC aircraft
  • Think independently and move fast, especially in ambiguous or time-pressured environments
  • Break down complex systems into testable chunks and execute efficiently
  • Love solving hard technical problems and pushing into unfamiliar domains
  • Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s in aerospace, mechanical, or a related field

Bonus points for:

  • CAD, 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC experience
  • Battery prototyping (especially Li-ion)
  • Deep knowledge of aircraft design, performance, and control
  • Scientific coding (Python or similar)
  • RC flying experience (FPV or line-of-sight)
  • Flight qualifications (PfCO / GVC / BMFA / equivalent)
  • Prior startup or field deployment experience

Why now?

We’ve got real aircraft flying real missions for real customers—and we’re just getting started. You’ll get to shape how our systems evolve and how they’re used in the wild, with direct ownership and fast feedback loops.

This is a rare chance to build cutting-edge UAVsandwatch them make a global impact.

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in UAV Job Applications (UK Guide)

Whether you’re aiming for roles in UAV design, robotics/controls engineering, autonomy & computer vision, flight test & certification, embedded systems, operations, ground control software, systems integration or regulatory compliance, the way you present yourself in an application can make or break your chances — and that often happens before the hiring manager reads past your first few lines. In the UK UAV/jobs market, recruiters and hiring managers scan applications rapidly. They look for relevant experience, measurable delivery, technical credibility, domain awareness and safety/regulatory understanding — often making a decision within the first 10–20 seconds. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in UAV applications, why those signals matter, and how to structure your CV, portfolio and cover letter so you get noticed — not filtered out.

The Skills Gap in UAV Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) — commonly known as drones — are among the fastest-growing technologies globally. From infrastructure inspection and agriculture to emergency response, surveying, logistics and defence, UAVs are transforming how organisations gather data, deliver services and improve efficiency. In the UK, demand for UAV professionals is increasing rapidly. Yet despite a growing number of graduates with engineering, robotics or aerospace backgrounds, employers continue to report a persistent problem: Many graduates are not ready for real UAV jobs. This is not a reflection of intelligence or academic effort. It is a widening skills gap between what universities teach and what employers actually need in the UAV sector. This article explores that gap in depth — what universities do well, where programmes fall short, why the divide exists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the gap to build a successful career in UAVs.

UAV Jobs for Career Switchers in Their 30s, 40s & 50s (UK Reality Check)

UAVs (drones) have moved far beyond hobby flying. In the UK, they are now used every day for surveying, infrastructure inspection, construction progress, environmental monitoring, emergency response, film production, agriculture, offshore work & security. That growth has created a wide range of UAV job opportunities — and many of the most realistic routes into the sector are well suited to career switchers in their 30s, 40s & 50s. This article gives you a straight UK reality check on UAV careers: what roles genuinely exist, what training you really need, how long it takes to become employable, where the money is, what employers actually look for & whether age matters (usually far less than people assume).