Lead UxV Design Engineer

Job Description

WHAT WE DO ISS

Aerospace designs, manufactures, builds, and delivers Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for a wide range of international clients. These include large defence, security, and energy primes. We supply both off-the-shelf UAVs and conduct research and development to meet specific innovative needs of our clients. Our systems collect meaningful information, process it to deliver actionable intelligence, or operate as autonomous or semi-autonomous effectors under challenging conditions. We pride ourselves on working closely with our clients to provide end-to-end service from specification to operational deployment.

WHY ISS AEROSPACE

ISS is an established UK manufacturer with a strong market presence. The company is evolving and scaling its operations to meet increased demand. Working at ISS means being at the forefront of UAS development, serving prestigious national and international clients. We foster a strong team ethos; although our current staff is small, joining now offers significant opportunities to influence and grow within the company. Our unique working environment ensures no two days are the same, offering daily challenges that we overcome together. We emphasize knowledge sharing and continuous professional development, encouraging our employees to learn and improve constantly.

THE ROLE - SENIOR MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER

This role is part of the end-to-end process to manufacture, build, integrate, test, and deliver our UAVs, whether as standalone platforms or as part of larger R&D and trials programs.

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer Key Responsibilities and Tasks

1. Management of the ISS UAV designs
2. Updating and revising core UAV designs
3. Bespoke design of additional mechanical modules or payloads
4. Leading a team of design engineers as the company and team grow
5. Liaising with customers to understand and implement requirements during R&D and bespoke work
6. Capturing design concepts and requirements and translating these into new UAV platforms in collaboration with the CTO
7. Implementing current best practices and design processes, with continuous improvements
8. Designing and implementing test and analysis procedures for compliance and regulatory needs

Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or a related field
• At least 3 years of industry experience with UAVs or aerospace systems
• In-depth knowledge of mechanical design principles, stress analysis, material selection, and manufacturing processes
• Proficiency with CAD software and other UAV development tools
• Experience with UAV subsystems such as propulsion, avionics, and control systems
• Understanding of UAV regulatory requirements
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for technical and non-technical stakeholders

Core Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with creative solutions development
• Proficiency in UAV structural and subsystem design using CAD tools like Fusion 360, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Pro/ENGINEER
• Knowledge of FEA and simulation techniques
• Experience in UAV prototype development and testing
• Familiarity with additive and composite manufacturing technologies
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards and best practices
• Leadership skills to motivate and manage engineering teams
• Attention to detail ensuring designs meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards

This list is not exhaustive. The role requires flexibility to perform various tasks as the company and your role evolve. We welcome applicants with diverse skills, whether broad or specialized.

Additional Qualities:

• Understanding of the UAV industry
• Good interpersonal skills
• Proactive 'can-do' attitude
• Teamwork capability
• Autonomy and logical problem-solving approach
• Commitment to continuous improvement

We value diverse skills and backgrounds, encouraging applications from candidates with various disciplines or focused expertise.

Salary: Dependent on experience and skillset.

Location: Based at ISS facilities in Chieveley, Berkshire. Situated on a large farm estate with good road links; 20 minutes to Reading, Swindon, and Oxford. Bristol and London are approximately 60 minutes away. Remote work is not available due to the nature of the role.

Driving & Travel

International travel may be required. Candidates must have a current passport and a full, clean UK driving license, as travel within the UK to customer sites or trial locations is frequent.

Security

Candidates will need to provide evidence of eligibility to work in the UK, employment and education history for up to three years, and may require SC clearance depending on the project.