Chief Software Engineer

Europe's heavy-lift UAV capability is limited.

The organisation behind this role is one of a small number of companies actively closing that gap - for both defence and civilian applications.

The Chief Engineer will set the technical direction for autonomous UAV and eVTOL platforms across the full architecture: avionics, autonomy, systems integration, flight controls. You'll work across software, hardware, and flight test teams, and you'll carry the technical authority to make decisions that matter and stick.

This isn't a role for someone who wants to oversee from a distance. The expectation is hands‑on involvement where it counts, combined with the strategic thinking to shape a programme over years, not just quarters. You'll work directly with the most senior engineering and leadership stakeholders, and the decisions you make will be visible in aircraft that actually fly.

The company operates at the boundary of what's currently possible in autonomous aircraft - which means the problems are genuinely hard, the programme is moving fast, and the right person will have real room to shape where it goes.

Extensive UAV/UAS/eVTOL development experience at Principal, Lead, or Chief Engineer level. Deep understanding of aerospace systems integration, aircraft architecture and experience delivering flight‑capable systems into operational environments. Ardu Pilot or PX4 (or other flight control) experience would also be beneficial.

£95,000 + bonus and benefits, hybrid working (UK‑based), and a role with genuine technical authority in one of the more consequential aerospace programmes currently active in the UK.

If you're operating at this level and want to know more, it's worth a conversation.