Senior Software Engineer - UAV Ground Control Station GCS

Job Description About Edge

At EDGE bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve and save lives.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a leading advanced technology group working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Spanning more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence, we are purpose-built to move fast. Free from heavy legacy processes, we give our people the autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

Based in Abu Dhabi, a globally connected hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, EDGE is home to a truly multicultural community where bold ideas thrive, and the future is shaped.

Together, we are shaping the future.

The Senior Software Engineer - UAV Ground Control Station (GCS) will be responsible for developing, integrating, and verifying mission-critical software supporting UAV command and control, mission planning, telemetry, vehicle monitoring, and payload operations. The role combines C/C++ software development, real-time and embedded systems, HMI, communication interfaces, and UAV system integration
, with exposure to flight-control systems, HIL testing, and operational environments.

• Design, develop, integrate, test, and maintain UAV GCS software using C/C++.
• Develop HMI/UI applications for mission planning, vehicle control, telemetry, payload management, and flight monitoring.
• Integrate GCS software with autopilots, flight-control systems, sensors, avionics, payloads, and communication systems.
• Develop and maintain communication interfaces including TCP/IP, UDP, CAN, Ethernet, RF/SATCOM, and UAV datalinks.
• Develop real-time processing for telemetry, video, vehicle health, and mission data.
• Work with RTOS, embedded platforms, simulation, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environments.
• Develop automated unit, integration, and system tests and support verification activities.
• Troubleshoot software, hardware/software integration, and system-level issues.
• Support field testing and UAV flight-test activities.
• Contribute to software architecture, requirements traceability, technical reviews, and cybersecurity.
• Support compliance with applicable aerospace and defense standards, including DO-178C and STANAG 4586.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer/Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 7-10+ years of relevant software engineering experience.
• Strong hands‑on experience with C/C++.
• Experience in real‑time, embedded, or mission‑critical software development.
• Experience with RTOS, Linux and/or Windows development environments.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, object‑oriented design, multithreading, and distributed systems.
• Experience with hardware/software integration and communication interfaces such as CAN, Ethernet, TCP/IP, UDP, or serial communications.
• Experience with software testing, integration, and verification.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.

• Experience developing UAV Ground Control Station (GCS), UAS, command-and-control, or mission‑critical control software.
• Experience integrating software with flight‑control systems, autopilots, navigation systems, sensors, and payloads.
• Experience with HIL/simulation, automated testing, and flight‑test support.
• Experience with FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or QNX, and ARM/STM
  32 platforms.
• Experience with UAV datalinks, RF/SATCOM, telemetry, and real‑time communication systems.
• Experience with DO-178C or other safety‑critical software development standards.
• Familiarity with STANAG 4586 /…