Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

VFD Applications Engineer

Rugeley
10 months ago
Applications closed

Unleash the Power of Multi-Mission Excellence: Safeguarding the Seas for the World's Navies.

Step into a world where cutting-edge technology meets unparalleled expertise. Ultra Maritime pioneers delivering multi-mission solutions that protect and empower the naval forces worldwide. With our extensive portfolio of capabilities, our innovations are utilised on naval fleets across our allied navies around the globe.

As the maritime and underwater battlespace evolves, we tirelessly push the boundaries to develop advanced specialist systems that provide our 'five-eyes' Defence customers with an unbeatable warfighting edge. From surface vessels to sub-surface operations and unmanned platforms, we are revolutionizing the way naval missions are executed.

We thrive on collaboration and partnering with our customers to ensure mission success. Our expert solutions encompass an array of game-changing technologies, including state-of-the-art sonar, radar, expendables, signature management, and naval power systems.

Join us in shaping the future of naval warfare and together, we will safeguard the seas and empower navies worldwide!

Flexible Working

At Ultra Maritime, we understand that your personal life is just as important as your professional one. That's why we support and promote flexible working arrangements where possible. Whether you prefer a hybrid model, working remotely, or the structure of being on-site, we will support you as best as we can. Embrace the freedom to shape your work hours according to your needs, whether it's part-time, compressed hours, or a unique arrangement that suits your lifestyle.

Rugeley embraces flexibility by offering adaptable start and finish times, empowering you to find the perfect balance between your professional and personal commitments. Bid farewell to rigid schedules and embrace the freedom to design your workday around your unique needs. We empower our people to work independently, tying into our values of Values of Integrity, Transparency and Alignment.

We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise, our business is our people. We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise, our business is our people.

Job Description

Join Ultra Maritime SMaP as a Variable Frequency Drive Engineer and become a pioneering member of our newly established team of power systems applications engineers. This unique role offers an exceptional opportunity for a proactive and innovative engineer to shape and define the position, making it their own. Dedicated to designing cutting-edge products for the Marine and Defense sectors, you will engage in full lifecycle development of drive systems-from initial customer engagement through design, testing, and implementation. These systems will be employed in various applications, including shore supplies for ship equipment, ground supplies for aircraft, and drives for pumps and motors, each presenting unique technical challenges. If you are passionate about engineering and driven to create high-quality solutions, this dynamic role offers the perfect platform to showcase and expand your talents within a supportive and forward-thinking team.

Key Responsibilities:
Early Customer Engagement: Collaborate with customers early in the design process to understand their requirements and constraints. Conduct feasibility studies and provide technical input to shape project proposals. Develop and present tailored technical solutions that meet customer needs and expectations.
Design: System-level design of drive systems, including pumps, static frequency converters, and other power electronics applications. Design control algorithms, protection schemes, and select appropriate filters and components. Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate drive systems with existing infrastructure.
Development and Prototyping: Create detailed design specifications and schematics for new drive systems. Develop prototypes and oversee their construction, ensuring they meet design criteria. Conduct simulations and modeling to validate design concepts.
Testing and Validation: Plan and execute comprehensive testing protocols in laboratory environments. Perform integration and production testing to ensure systems function correctly and reliably. Analyze test data, troubleshoot issues, and implement necessary design modifications.
Documentation: Prepare thorough documentation, including technical manuals, test plans, and validation reports. Maintain accurate records of design processes, changes, and test results. Ensure documentation meets regulatory and quality standards.
Installation and Maintenance: Oversee the installation and commissioning of drive systems at customer sites. Provide technical support and training to customers during and after installation. Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure long-term system performance.
Continuous Improvement: Stay updated on the latest advancements in drive technology and power systems. Identify opportunities for improving existing products and processes. Implement feedback from customers and field performance to enhance future designs.Qualifications / Skills Required:
Education: Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience in drive systems development.
Experience: Proven experience in system-level design of drive system functions, including control, protection, and communication systems. Knowledge of filter design and wound magnetic specifications. Experience working at customer sites and in qualification processes.
Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of electrical engineering principles, particularly related to variable frequency drives and power systems. Experience with the design and implementation of drive control algorithms and protection schemes.
Analytical Skills: Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail to ensure accuracy and reliability in system design and testing. Proficiency in using simulation and modeling tools to validate design concepts.
Problem-Solving: Ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues related to drive systems. Creative thinking to develop innovative solutions tailored to customer requirements.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with customers, team members, and stakeholders. Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive documentation, including technical reports and user manuals
Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work independently or collaboratively as part of a team to achieve project objectives.
Technical Tools Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools for documentation and communication purposes. Experience with CAD software and electrical design tools.Please note the successful candidate will be required to obtain relevant security level status required for the role.

#CVL
#LI-SS
#MAR
#LI-Hybrid

Relocation Support

Attracting high-level talent and people that can add value and expertise, is vital to our success. Attracting and retaining brilliant people is imperative so that's why we search across the UK for talent. We offer financial support to candidates that are considering relocating; this is considered on a case-by-case basis per role and subject to HMRC guidelines.

Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be eligible to obtain the relevant security clearance required for the role, due to the nature of the programmes we deliver for our customers.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer

Ultra Maritime is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self.

We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates

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.

UAV (Drones) Recruitment Trends 2025 (UK): What Job Seekers Need To Know About Today’s Hiring Process

Summary: UK unmanned aviation (UAV/UAS/RPAS) hiring has shifted from aircraft‑type buzzwords to capability‑driven evaluation across flight ops, autonomy, data products, safety & regulatory compliance. Employers want proof you can plan, fly, analyse and scale UAV systems safely and economically—VLOS/A2 CofC, GVC, BVLOS & SORA ops, UTM integrations, command‑and‑control resilience, sense‑and‑avoid, payload pipelines, and fleet reliability. This guide explains what’s changed, what to expect in interviews & how to prepare—especially for UAV pilots/ops managers, flight test engineers, autonomy/perception, GNC/control, UTM/backend, safety & airworthiness, data processing/analysis, and field engineering roles. Who this is for: UAV pilots & flight ops, mission planners, flight test & safety engineers, autonomy/SLAM/perception, GNC/control engineers, embedded/avionics, communications & C2 links, UTM/airspace integrations, data processing (imagery/LiDAR/thermal), GIS/photogrammetry, maintenance & field techs, and programme/product managers in the UK.

Why UAV (Drone) Careers in the UK Are Becoming More Multidisciplinary

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have seen rapid adoption across sectors in the UK — agriculture, logistics, inspection, mapping, delivery, search & rescue, environmental monitoring, media, defence, and more. As UAV use proliferates, the roles supporting them are shifting. Modern UAV careers are no longer just about aerodynamics, electronics or autopilot algorithms. They now require knowledge of law, ethics, psychology, linguistics & design — because flying machines in public airspace must be safe, trusted, legal, intuitive and well communicated. In this article, we’ll explore why UAV careers in the UK are becoming more multidisciplinary, how those allied fields intersect with UAV work, and what job-seekers & employers should do to adapt.

UAV Team Structures Explained: Who Does What in a Modern UAV Department

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly called drones, are transforming industries across the UK—from agriculture, surveillance, mapping, and inspection to logistics, environmental monitoring, and emergency response. UAV systems combine hardware, embedded systems, controls, autonomy, sensors, communications, regulatory / airworthiness, and operations. As the UAV ecosystem grows, companies need team structures that ensure safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness. If you are applying for UAV roles via UAVJobs.co.uk or building a UAV team, this article will help you understand the roles typical in a modern UAV department, how they collaborate throughout the UAV lifecycle, what skills and qualifications employers expect in the UK, what salaries look like, common challenges, and best practices for structuring teams that deliver capable UAV systems.