Ardupilot Software Engineer

Ardupilot Software Engineer

Vacancy Reference: CLA- 415

Position:
Full-time

Location:

Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK

Salary: £50,000 - £60,000

At Callen-Lenz, we are expanding the limits of what is possible. We specialise in crewed and uncrewed aircraft operations and technology and having recently received investment into the business we are going through a period of rapid growth and development and are looking for key roles to assist with these changes. Callen-Lenz offers innovative and customer‑focused UAS solutions through our 4 key business strands: technical services, products, platforms and operational services.

We are looking for individuals to help drive forward our expansion, placing you at forefront of UAS development in the UK.

• Innovation
• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Excellence

Based in the heart of rural Wiltshire, close to the historic city of Salisbury you will join our rapidly growing, friendly and multi‑disciplined team, working on a range of diverse and interesting projects, leading the way in this exciting field and witnessing the full lifecycle of our products. The Callen‑Lenz team are passionate about what we do, and we are searching for individuals to grow with us as we expand into the aerospace industry.

• 25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays)
• Buy/Sell holiday policy up to 5 days either way
• Pension Scheme via Royal London
• Company contributed Share Incentive Plan
• Green Car Scheme
• Life assurance scheme (6x basic salary)
• Income protection policy (75% of basic salary)
• Private Health Insurance via Bupa
• Private Dental insurance via Bupa
• Enhanced Maternity and paternity
• 1 Professional membership reimbursed per year
• 1 paid volunteering day per year
• Access to an independent financial advisor year round
• Training & development opportunities

As an Ardupilot Software Engineer, you will be working on cutting‑edge UAV projects. This exciting role will place the right candidate at the forefront of unmanned air systems development in the UK.

Working within the Autopilot team, you will be supporting in the delivery of engineering outputs including software requirements, software design, software implementation and software testing. Applying your knowledge and principles of engineering to assist in the implementation of aircraft control systems to a high degree of safety and reliability.

• Develop, configure, and test Ardupilot‑based flight control systems for various UAV platforms.
• Test and optimise flight behaviours, parameters, and mission execution in both SITL (Software‑in‑the‑Loop) and real flight environments.
• Support sensor integration (GPS, cameras, LiDAR, etc.) and ensure robust flight performance.
• Contribute to documentation, simulation environments, and internal development standards.
• Assist in software high‑level requirements capture and documentation.
• Support software architectural design.
• Contribution to innovation by assisting in research into and application of emergent technologies.
• Support the implementation of the Software Engineering Quality Practices.
• Participation in peer reviews.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Demonstrate in daily activities a commitment to health and safety in the workplace by always ensuring tasks are performed in the safest possible manner.
• Report all hazards and incidents that the individual is party to, or observes, in the correct manner.
• When required or directed, participate in any health and safety training.

BSc or MSc degree in an Engineering or Science subject. Preferably with experience in aeronautical or aviation industries.

Familiarity with Linux environments and Ardupilot SITL.

Exposure to other programming languages such as LUA (strong plus), Python, Rust.

Knowledge of safety related engineering practices.

Working in an Agile environment.

Background of aeronautics and control systems.

Familiarity with PID control loops.

Experience with flight control systems.

General interest in aviation.

• Proven hands‑on experience with Ardupilot, PX4, or similar open‑source autopilot stacks.
• Strong knowledge of MAVLink, mission planning and…