Autopilot Software Engineer

Windracers Ltd; Fareham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Windracers Ltd in Fareham is seeking a full-time Autopilot Engineer to join on-site with flexible hybrid working. You will develop safety-critical flight control software and contribute to requirements capture and concept studies.

The role focuses on embedded C/C++ for STM32 MCUs, flight dynamics, and integration with testing ecosystems from unit tests to flight testing on site. You will support debugging, issue analysis and continuous improvement to meet real-world performance.

Qualifications

• Experience in embedded C/C++ software for flight control.
• Familiar with STM32 MCUs and MCU peripherals.
• Understanding of aerospace control systems and safety considerations.

Responsibilities

• Capture requirements and contribute to concept studies.
• Develop safety-critical flight control software.
• Support testing from unit tests to flight testing.
• Maintain autopilot test fleet and debug issues.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

STM32 MCU

Git version control

Flight control theory

Safety-critical software

Testing & QA

Agile software development

CAN / SPI / I2C / UART

Tools

STM32 IDEs

Job description

Role Summary

We are currently recruiting a full-time, permanent Autopilot Engineer based in Fareham, primarily on-site with flexible hybrid working.

Responsibilities

• Inputing into requirements capture plus concept and feasibility studies
• Development of safety critical flight control software to a 100% reliability standard
• Support with the testing ecosystem from automated unit testing through to flight testing on site
• Maintaining and flying (as required) the autopilot model aircraft test fleet
• Support with issue identification, fault finding and debugging

Key Requirements

• Relevant professional relevant experience in software engineering including embedded C/C++
• Professional experience backed up by a passion for the field, evidenced through relevant personal/university projects etc.
• Strong knowledge of mechanics of flight and aerospace control systems including their practical application
• Ability to develop behavioural/application-level software (i.e. knowing what to do, not just how to do)
• Ability to use version control (Git) as part of an agile software team and appropriately document work
• Strong ability to use STM32 MCUs and the wider MCU ecosystem (IDEs, compilers, debuggers etc.)
• Knowledge of low-level drivers (CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ICU etc.)
• Complementary knowledge of embedded hardware to a standard that allows for software integration onto hardware test rigs etc.
• Ability to support the testing ecosystem from automated unit testing through to flight testing
• Willing to be flexible/go above and beyond to deliver on-time and to “real world” levels of quality and performance

Nice to haves

• Aviation or RC model aircraft background or interest including piloting
• Experience with using/modifying open-source autopilot ecosystem (Betaflight/Ardupilot/PX4/MissionPlanner etc.)