Autopilot Software Engineer

Matchtech; East Hampshire; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking an Autopilot Software Engineer in Hampshire for a full-time, permanent role. The position is hybrid—primarily on-site due to hardware and flight-test work—but with flexible hybrid options.

You will join an agile team delivering safety-critical flight control software from requirements to real-world validation. The role requires embedded C/C++ experience, STM32 MCU expertise, and strong understanding of aerospace control systems.

Qualifications

• Embedded software engineering experience with Embedded C/C++.
• Strong understanding of flight mechanics and aerospace control systems.
• Able to develop behavioural and application-level logic.
• Proficient with Git in an Agile team and solid documentation habits.
• Hands-on STM32 MCUs and MCU toolchain expertise.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to requirements capture, feasibility studies and concepts.
• Develop safety-critical flight control software to high reliability standards.
• Support test ecosystem from unit tests to on-site flight testing.
• Maintain and, when needed, fly autopilot model aircraft test fleet.
• Support issue identification, fault-finding and debugging across software and hardware.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Git in Agile

STM32 MCUs

CAN / SPI / I2C / UART

Flight control systems understanding

Behavioural logic development

Hardware integration experience

Automation/testing experience

Tools

IDEs / compilers / debuggers

Job description

Autopilot Software Engineer- Permanent - Hampshire (Hybrid)

Role summary

We're hiring a full-time, permanent Autopilot Engineer based in Hampshire. The role is primarily on-site due to hardware and flight-test activity, with flexible hybrid working available.

You'll join an agile engineering team building safety-critical flight control software for an autopilot system, working from early requirements and feasibility through to on-site testing and real-world validation.

What you'll be doing

• Contribute to requirements capture, plus concept and feasibility studies
• Develop safety-critical flight control software to an exceptional reliability standard
• Support the test ecosystem end-to-end: automated unit testing through to on-site flight testing
• Maintain and (as required) fly the autopilot model aircraft test fleet
• Support issue identification, fault-finding and debugging across software and integrated systems

What we're looking for (essential)

• Professional embedded software engineering experience, including Embedded C/C++
• Clear passion for the field, evidenced by personal/university projects alongside commercial experience
• Strong understanding of mechanics of flight and aerospace control systems, with practical application
• Ability to develop behavioural / application-level logic (the \"what to do\", not just the \"how to do\")
• Comfortable using Git within an agile team, with solid engineering documentation habits
• Strong hands-on experience with STM32 MCUs and the wider MCU toolchain (IDEs/compilers/debuggers)
• Low-level driver knowledge: CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ICU (and similar)
• Enough embedded hardware knowledge to support software integration onto rigs / test hardware
• Ability to support testing from unit tests to flight testing
• Flexible mindset-willing to go above and beyond to deliver on-time with real-world quality/performance

Nice to have

• Aviation or RC model aircraft interest/background (including piloting)
• Experience with open-source autopilot ecosystems such as Betaflight, Ardupilot, PX4, MissionPlanner

Location / working pattern

• Hybrid, but primarily on-site (hardware + flight test requirements)
• Permanent role