Software Engineer (UAV / Embedded Systems)
Swindon - Hybrid
£40,000 – £60,000 - flexible for the right experience
We’re partnering with a high-growth UK engineering team building next-generation unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. This is a hands-on Software Engineer role sitting at the heart of a multidisciplinary environment where software, electronics, and avionics converge to deliver complex, real-world systems.
This is not a siloed development role. You’ll be working across the full lifecycle of embedded and systems software - designing, building, testing, and integrating solutions that directly interact with hardware and flight systems.
🚀 The Environment
You’ll join a small, fast-moving engineering team operating at pace, with significant demand driven by rapid growth. The culture is highly collaborative, technically curious, and energetic.
Flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to step outside traditional lanes are essential. Engineers here don’t just write code - they own outcomes.
🧠 What You’ll Be Doing
* Designing and developing embedded software and firmware for UAV systems
* Working across greenfield development and enhancement of existing architecture
* Collaborating closely with avionics, electronics, and mechanical engineers
* Supporting system integration and hands-on testing with hardware
* Contributing to architecture, design decisions, and technical direction
* Ensuring compliance with aerospace-grade standards (including DO-178C considerations)
⚙️ Tech & Tools
We’re looking for strong fundamentals in embedded and systems engineering, including:
* Strong C++ development experience (essential)
* Python and MATLAB for tooling, modelling, and analysis
* Experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)
* UNIX/Linux-based development environments
* Version control using Git
* Exposure to UAV flight control ecosystems such as:
* ArduPilot
* PX4
✈️ Domain Experience (Critical)
* Proven experience in UAV, aerospace, defence, or robotics environments
* Strong understanding of flight dynamics, control systems, and embedded systems
* Experience with PID controllers and tuning methods
* Comfort working close to hardware (debugging, testing, integration)
🧩 What Success Looks Like
* You enjoy building systems that cross hardware and software boundaries
* You’re comfortable switching between coding, testing, and debugging in the same day
* You proactively solve problems rather than just identifying them
* You thrive in a highly collaborative, high-accountability engineering culture
⚠️ Important Note
This is a UK-based role requiring full UK working rights and a UK-centric project environment. No visa sponsorship is available.
If youre an embedded Software Engineer who enjoys complex systems, hands-on problem solving, and working at the intersection of software and hardware, this is a rare opportunity to make a tangible impact.