Overview
Autopilot Software Engineer - Hybrid (Southampton / Portsmouth)
Location: Southampton / Portsmouth (Hybrid working available)
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Sector: Autonomous Systems / Aerospace / Robotics
Are you passionate about building advanced autonomy for next-generation unmanned aircraft? Join a high-growth engineering team developing large autonomous fixed-wing UAVs for logistics, humanitarian, and defence applications. You will contribute directly to creating robust, reliable, and safe flight-control systems for real-world missions.
Responsibilities
* Requirements capture and creation of technical specifications
* Development of safety-critical flight-control software to exceptionally high reliability standards
* Support test activities: automated unit tests, hardware-in-the-loop, field tests, and flight trials
* Assist with issue identification, debugging, and system-level fault investigation
Qualifications
* Professional experience in software engineering with strong embedded C/C++ skills
* Practical, applied understanding of aerospace control systems
* Ability to develop behavioural/application-level autonomy software
* Experience with version control (Git) within an agile team, including documentation
* Strong skills with STM32 microcontrollers and associated toolchains (IDEs, debuggers, compilers)
* Knowledge of low-level interfaces: CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ICU, etc.
* Complementary understanding of embedded hardware
* Ability to support a full testing ecosystem - from automated unit testing to flight testing
* Flexibility, ownership mindset, and ability to deliver high-quality, real-world-ready software
* Experience with open-source autopilot ecosystems (e.g., Betaflight, Ardupilot, PX4, MissionPlanner)
Nice to Have
* Background or interest in aviation or RC model aircraft
* Willingness and ability to travel, plus a driving licence and access to a vehicle
Location & Employment Details
* Contract Type: Full-time, permanent
* Location: Southampton / Portsmouth area, with hybrid working available
* Department: Engineering
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