Commissioning Lead – Autonomous Vehicles

Syos Aerospace; Fareham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SYOS Aerospace is seeking a Commissioning Lead to drive the end-to-end readiness of autonomous surface vessels. You’ll own the commissioning, testing and handover, coordinating between Engineering, Production, Software and Quality to ensure safety, reliability and operability.

This is a hands-on role with ownership from initial power‑up through customer acceptance. You’ll lead test plans, troubleshoot complex issues, and maintain rigorous documentation while supporting early operational

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience working on autonomous systems, robotics or complex mechatronic platforms.
• Degree in Robotics, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong hands‑on troubleshooting and systems testing experience.
• Experience with DC motor controllers, RF equipment, PLCs and LAN/network integration.
• Understanding of I/O, RS232/422/485 and CANbus.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
• A practical, hands‑on approach with the ability to work independently and across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Bonus: Linux, drone/autonomous vehicle configuration or broader mechatronics systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning, testing and acceptance of USVs and their subsystems.
• Develop and execute commissioning plans, test procedures and acceptance criteria.
• Test and validate propulsion, power, communications, sensors, software and payloads.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and coordinate corrective actions through to resolution.
• Maintain commissioning records, configuration data, test results and sign‑off documentation.
• Work closely with Engineering, Production, Software and Quality to improve product reliability and commissioning processes.
• Support customer acceptance, vessel delivery and early operational activities.
• Ensure commissioning activities meet HSE, regulatory and company requirements.

Skills

Autonomous systems

Robotics

Systems testing

Troubleshooting

Technical documentation

Education

Degree in Robotics

Electrical Engineering

Tools

DC motor controllers

RF equipment

PLC

LAN/network integration

CANbus

RS232/422/485

Job description

Commissioning Lead – Autonomous Vehicles

At SYOS Aerospace, we’re building the next generation of autonomous systems across air, land and sea. Our unmanned vehicles are designed to operate in the real world - and we’re looking for a Commissioning Lead to make sure they’re ready to do exactly that.

The opportunity

As Commissioning Lead, you’ll take our Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) from production completion through testing, commissioning and customer handover. You’ll be the technical link between Production, Engineering, Software, Quality and Operations, leading system testing, troubleshooting issues and ensuring every vessel is safe, reliable and operationally ready. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll have real ownership, from initial power‑up and system checks through to customer acceptance and early operational support.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead commissioning, testing and acceptance of USVs and their subsystems.
• Develop and execute commissioning plans, test procedures and acceptance criteria.
• Test and validate propulsion, power, communications, sensors, software and payloads.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and coordinate corrective actions through to resolution.
• Maintain commissioning records, configuration data, test results and sign‑off documentation.
• Work closely with Engineering, Production, Software and Quality to improve product reliability and commissioning processes.
• Support customer acceptance, vessel delivery and early operational activities.
• Ensure commissioning activities meet HSE, regulatory and company requirements.

What you’ll bring

• 3+ years’ experience working on autonomous systems, robotics or complex mechatronic platforms.
• Degree in Robotics, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong hands‑on troubleshooting and systems testing experience.
• Experience with DC motor controllers, RF equipment, PLCs and LAN/network integration.
• Understanding of I/O, RS232/422/485 and CANbus.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
• A practical, hands‑on approach with the ability to work independently and across multiple engineering disciplines.

Bonus: Experience with Linux, drone/autonomous vehicle configuration or broader mechatronics systems.

Why SYOS?

You’ll join a fast-moving team working on real autonomous vehicles, real customers and real‑world challenges. There’s plenty of opportunity to get hands‑on, solve complex problems and see your work move from production floor to operational deployment.

Ready to help commission the future of autonomous systems?

SYOS Aerospace - the time is now

Security Requirement:To be eligible for this role, you must be able to meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). This includes confirming your identity, legal right to work in the UK, recent employment history, and criminal record (unspent convictions only).