Autopilot Software Engineer - UAV Flight Control & SITL

SR2; England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SR2 in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Autopilot Software Engineer to join its Autopilot team for ARduPilot-based flight control across UAV platforms.

You will test and tune flight behaviour using SITL and real flights, integrate sensors (GPS, cameras, LiDAR) to enhance performance, and analyse flight logs to drive improvements. Eligibility for UK SC, five years’ UK residency, citizenship or right to work, and a valid UK driving licence are required, with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Experience with autopilot stacks such as ArduPilot or PX4.
• Strong knowledge of MAVLink and UAV communication protocols.
• Hands-on testing with SITL and real flight testing.
• Eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC) with five years UK residency.
• British citizenship or right to work in the UK.
• Full valid UK driving licence.
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Develop, configure and test ArduPilot-based flight control systems across UAV platforms.
• Test and optimise flight behaviour and mission execution using SITL and real flights.
• Integrate sensors (GPS, cameras, LiDAR) to improve aircraft performance.
• Analyse flight logs and test results to identify issues and improve performance.
• Contribute to software requirements capture, documentation and design.
• Work with ArduPilot, PX4 or similar stacks; ArduPilot experience advantageous.
• Apply MAVLink, mission planning and UAV communication protocols knowledge.
• Tune UAVs and perform flight tests and log analysis.
• Proficient in C++ and related development tools.
• Use CAN, SPI, I2C, UDP, TCP for communications.
• Take software from requirements to implementation and delivery.
• Be eligible for SC with UK residency and right to work.

Skills

ArduPilot experience

C++

UAV flight control

SITL testing

MAVLink

Autopilot integration

Tools

Mission Planner

MAVProxy

PX4

CAN/I2C/SPI

Job description

SR2 in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Autopilot Software Engineer to join its Autopilot team for ARduPilot-based flight control across UAV platforms.

You will test and tune flight behaviour using SITL and real flights, integrate sensors (GPS, cameras, LiDAR) to enhance performance, and analyse flight logs to drive improvements. Eligibility for UK SC, five years’ UK residency, citizenship or right to work, and a valid UK driving licence are required, with occasional travel.