UAV Systems Engineer

Workable
Chippenham
10 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Flight Systems Engineer

Systems Engineer - Communications and EW Resilience

Head of Engineering

Medical Field Service Engineer, X-ray & Ultrasound

Medical Field Service Engineer, X-ray & Ultrasound

Medical Field Service Engineer, X-ray & Ultrasound

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 aUAV Systems Engineerto help us do it. This is a hands-on, full-stack hardware role for someone who can take an aircraft subsystem from napkin sketch to field deployment.

This role focuses on the deeply technical core of our system: the integration of sensors, flight controllers, embedded software, wireless comms, and power systems. You’ll work across the full robotics stack, from PCB design and firmware to system-level debugging and real-world flight testing.

You’ll join a small, high-performance team shipping real hardware that flies in real operations—and iterate fast to keep making it better.

Requirements

What you’ll do

  • Lead the design and integration of avionics, sensors, embedded systems, and power subsystems
  • Work hands-on with flight controllers (e.g. Pixhawk), Mavlink protocols, and custom PCBs
  • Own prototyping, testing, and debugging across electronics and software
  • Use first-principles thinking to drive architecture decisions and system tradeoffs
  • Build and deploy fully integrated systems—then take them into the field
  • Collaborate with aero, software, and ops teams to make the system fly reliably at scale
  • Support live demos and missions with coast guards, NGOs, and other partners

You’ll be a great fit if you:

  • Have strong experience with embedded systems, UAV electronics, or robotics integration
  • Know your way around ArduPlane, Pixhawk, Mavlink, and sensor interfacing
  • Are comfortable designing, testing, and debugging PCBs and embedded software
  • Can navigate uncertainty and move fast without perfect specs
  • Love seeing your work go from the bench to the sky
  • Hold a Bachelor's or Master’s in EE, Robotics, Aerospace, or a related field

Bonus points for:

  • Experience with wireless transmission systems (e.g. long-range telemetry, video)
  • Skills in scientific or scripting languages (Python, MATLAB, etc.)
  • Field deployment or startup experience
  • Familiarity with manufacturing, sourcing, or compliance for electronics
  • A track record of building and flying your own projects (RC, FPV, etc.)

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.

If you’re excited by building just enough to solve exactly the right thing, this is the role.

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.

Careers

How Many UAV Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a UAV Job?

If you’re aiming for a role in the Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) industry, it can feel like every job advert expects you to know a never-ending list of tools: flight control systems, autopilot frameworks, simulation platforms, sensor suites, communication stacks, mission planning software, GIS tools — and on it goes. With so many names and acronyms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and assume you must learn every tool under the sun before you’ll be taken seriously by employers. Here’s the honest truth most UAV hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool — they hire you because you can use the right tools to solve real UAV problems safely, reliably and in context. Tools matter — absolutely — but they always serve a purpose: solving problems, reducing risk, improving performance, or guiding safer operations. So the real question isn’t how many tools you should know — it’s: which tools you should master, in what context, and why. This article breaks down what employers actually expect, which tools are essential, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you look credible, confident and job-ready.

Jobs

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.

Education

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.

🍪 We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. You can review our Cookie Policy for more information.