Senior Systems Engineer - UAV Ground Control Station GCS

AL TARIQ; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

EDGE in Abu Dhabi seeks a Senior Systems Engineer for UAV Ground Control Station (GCS) to lead architecture, design, integration, and lifecycle support of secure, mission-critical systems. You will work across GCS hardware, networking, RF, C2, telemetry, and rugged computing, collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

You will define requirements, interfaces, and data flows, oversee verification and testing, and mentor cross-functional staff to ensure robust ground-to-air operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7–12+ years in aerospace/defense/ UAVs or mission-critical systems are required.
• Strong experience in GCS hardware architecture, embedded systems, networking, RF, and system integration.
• Experience with Ethernet/IP, CAN, UART, SPI interfaces.
• Familiarity with DOORS/Jama or similar requirements tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead GCS system architecture, design, and integration across hardware, software, and networks.
• Define system requirements, interfaces, ICDs, network topology, and data flows.
• Integrate RF, SATCOM, LTE/5G, Wi-Fi, modems, and UAV datalinks.
• Oversee computing, networking, power, HMI, and ruggedised hardware integration.
• Ensure ground-to-air, C2, telemetry, and video integration; lead testing.
• Lead verification, validation, environmental, RF, and EMI/EMC tests.
• Conduct hardware bring-up, debugging, and performance optimization.
• Support SRR/ PDR/ CDR/ TRR and manage technical risks.
• Prepare specs, network diagrams, BOMs, test reports, and docs.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

GCS hardware architecture

Embedded systems

Networking

RF communications

System integration

Ethernet/CAN/UART/SPI interfaces

UAV datalinks

HMI for mission-control

Hardware bring-up and testing

Requirements management familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, Computer, Systems, Aerospace Engineering, or related

Master's degree in Aerospace/System Engineering or related

Tools

DOORS/Jama

Job description

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.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Senior Systems Engineer - UAV Ground Control Station (GCS) will lead the architecture, design, integration, verification, and lifecycle support of secure and mission-critical UAV GCS systems. The role will work across GCS hardware, networking, RF communications, C2, telemetry, rugged computing, and ground-to-air system integration, while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead GCS system architecture, design, and integration.
• Define system requirements, interfaces, ICDs, network topology, and data flows.
• Integrate RF, SATCOM, LTE/5G, Wi-Fi, modems, and UAV datalinks.
• Lead integration of computing, networking, power, HMI, and ruggedised hardware.
• Ensure seamless ground-to-air, hardware-software, C2, telemetry, and video integration.
• Lead verification, validation, environmental, RF, and EMI/EMC testing.
• Conduct hardware bring-up, debugging, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Support SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRR and manage technical risks.
• Prepare system specifications, network diagrams, BOMs, test reports, and technical documentation.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to multidisciplinary engineering teams.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in Electrical, Electronics, Computer, Systems, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 7-12+ years of relevant experience in aerospace, defence, UAV/UAS, robotics, or mission-critical systems.
• Strong experience in GCS hardware architecture, embedded systems, networking, RF communications, and system integration.
• Experience with Ethernet/IP, CAN, UART, SPI, and related communication interfaces.
• Experience integrating RF systems, UAV datalinks, SATCOM, modems, antennas, and communication systems.
• Experience with rugged computing platforms, power systems, operator consoles, and hardware integration.
• Understanding of HMI for mission-control applications.
• Experience with system integration, verification, validation, debugging, and field testing.
• Familiarity with DOORS/Jama or similar requirements management tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in Aerospace/System Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience with tactical communications, secure networking, multi-link aggregation, and BVLOS operations.
• Knowledge of secure C2 architectures and MBSE.
• Experience with MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, DO-160, and DO-254.
• Experience with EMI/EMC, environmental qualification, thermal and reliability testing.
• Familiarity with STANAG/NATO interoperability standards, particularly STANAG 4586.
• Experience with defence-grade RF/SATCOM and UAV communication systems.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity requirements for mission-critical systems.

WHY CHOOSE EDGE

Launched in November 2019, the UAEs EDGE is one of the worlds leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.

At EDGE, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class talent from across the globe, EDGE is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Working at EDGE also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax-free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.

CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

If you feel your skills, experience and potential are a strong match for a role, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. We are genuinely interested in what you can bring to EDGE.

Any information you share as part of your EDGE candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.

EDGE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

Please note that EDGE does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes in the absence of a formally executed agreement in place will be deemed the property of EDGE, and no placement fees or compensation will be payable in respect of such submissions.

Requirements: