Senior UAV Design Engineer
$60,000–$65,000 year
On-siteHavant, England, United Kingdom
Job Summary
Design high-performance UAV airframes, payload structures, and mechanical assemblies using Fusion 360, developing detailed CAD models and production-ready technical drawings. Select optimal propulsion systems, motors, and sensors, then rapidly iterate prototypes via 3D printing, sheet metal, and CNC to optimize performance. Perform hands-on integration, wiring, and soldering of electronics while configuring Betaflight and ArduCopter firmware. Conduct field testing and flight validation to debug performance issues under real-world conditions, collaborating with RF and software engineers to ensure system compatibility. Manage vendor coordination for low-volume production runs and produce comprehensive assembly drawings and Bills of Materials. Requires UK Security Clearance and 4–5 years of dedicated UAV design experience.
Required Qualifications
- 4 to 5 years of dedicated experience in the unmanned aerial vehicle field
- UK Security Clearance (SC)
- Ability to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC)
- Having lived in the UK for the last 5 years
- Holding a valid passport
- Advanced proficiency in parametric CAD (Fusion 360)
- Technical drawing creation
- Deep understanding of UAV architecture
- System integration knowledge
- Weight/balance optimization knowledge
- Hands-on experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing)
- Sheet metal design/fabrication
- Laser cutting
- CNC bending machinery
- Strong practical skills in electronics assembly
- Electronics routing
- Precision soldering
- Proven experience configuring and tuning ArduCopter flight stacks
- Proven experience tuning Betaflight flight stacks
- Excellent field troubleshooting skills
- Debugging skills
- Data-logging analysis skills
- A proactive problem-solver mindset
- Strong collaborative communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills
Desired Qualifications
- GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate) certification for operating multirotor and fixed-wing UAV platforms
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