Flight Test Engineer

SkyBound; Southampton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 23 days

On-site parking

EV charging points

Training & development

Flexible working

Employee wellbeing

Job summary

SkyBound is seeking a Flight Test Engineer to join our Testing team in Southampton. You’ll pilot and test fixed-wing, VTOL and multi-rotor UAS, integrating with Design, Software and Engineering to develop new capabilities.

You will run test programmes, troubleshoot field issues, and document findings to help shape operating procedures. A UK driving licence and willingness to travel are required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable UAS piloting experience in R&D or equivalent environments.
• Strong communication with internal teams and clients.
• Sound judgement and problem-solving under pressure, including risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct safe, compliant test flight operations across multiple locales.
• Operate as Remote Pilot BVLOS across the UK and internationally.
• Define and execute test programmes for software, hardware and systems; evaluate performance.

Skills

Remote Pilot BVLOS

Communication

Problem-solving

Planning workload

Team collaboration

Driving licence

Willingness to travel

Confidential handling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ArduPilot Mission Planner

QGroundControl

Job description

Department: Testing Location: Southampton HQ (on-site role - candidates should live within approximately 1 hour's commute)

Right to work: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

About SkyBound

SkyBound delivers automated drone operations for critical national infrastructure, providing real-time aerial intelligence to support safety, security and faster decision-making.

We combine software, AI and remote operations, with systems managed from our Southampton-based 24/7 control centre and deployed across the UK in some of the most complex airspaces to enable rapid response and continuous site awareness.

As we continue to scale, we are looking for a driven Flight test Engineer to join the team and help shape the future of autonomous operations.

The Role

We're looking for a Flight Test Engineer to join our Testing team, integrating and testing fixed-wing, VTOL and multi rotor UAS. You'll assess new markets and aircraft platforms alongside our Design, Software and Engineering teams, and work with external stakeholders to develop and test new capabilities.

In practice, you'll be doing three things: flying test programmes (including BVLOS, from Southampton or on-site), defining and running the test programmes themselves, and feeding what you learn back into how we operate - troubleshooting equipment in the field, writing up findings, and helping shape procedure.

What you'll do

• Plan and conduct safe, compliant test flight operations, working with the operations and technical teams to confirm requirements and site suitability
• Operate as Remote Pilot BVLOS across the UK and internationally, from the Remote Operations Centre or on-site
• Define and execute test programmes for new software, hardware and systems, evaluating performance and new features
• Identify and troubleshoot equipment issues and non-standard behaviour in the field, maintaining equipment to compliance standards
• Manage risk dynamically during flight trials, and produce accurate post-flight reports, escalating bugs and anomalies as needed
• Liaise with internal teams before, during and after operations, and feed lessons learned into procedure development

What you'll need

• Demonstrable experience piloting UAS in a research and development environment. A UK GVC or A2CofC is not required if you can robustly evidence equivalent experience - including international or defence-sector backgrounds
• Strong communication with both internal teams and external clients
• Sound judgement and problem-solving under pressure, including dynamic risk assessment
• Proven ability to independently plan, prioritise and own your own workload
• A collaborative, team-first approach and openness to suggesting new ways of working
• A full UK driving licence
• Willingness to travel within the UK, including possible maritime deployments
• Comfort working with sensitive, confidential information

Nice to have (not required — we'd rather hear about relevant experience than tick every box)

• Hands-on experience with fixed-wing or VTOL UAS using flight software such as ArduPilot Mission Planner or QGroundControl
• Aviation qualifications relating to UAS design, test flight operations, safety or risk management
• A relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

What we offer

• 23 days annual leave plus public holidays
• Free on-site parking and EV charging points
• Industry-relevant training and development, internal and external
• Flexible, casual working environment
• Health and wellbeing support, including a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Free tea, coffee and fruit