Senior Mechanical Engineer

Syos Aerospace; Fareham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Syos Aerospace is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the production, assembly and integration of unmanned air systems in the UK. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, ensure safety, quality and regulatory compliance across prototype, build and production delivery.

You will work closely with the Air Vehicle Design Lead and the NZ design team, pushing for continuous improvement and robust design assurance while maintaining rigorous documentation and change control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Aircraft Maintenance with relevant licensing (EASA Part 66 or UK CAA).
• Senior-level experience in aircraft mechanics and mechanical production in aerospace/defense, preferably unmanned systems 200 kg+.
• Knowledge of UK MAA regulations, DAOS requirements and CAA S2 approvals.
• Experience leading and mentoring aircraft engineers, technicians and fitters.
• Ability to work with international teams and align procedures with regulatory frameworks.
• Experience implementing an Air Safety Management System (ASMS) like Def Stan 00-56.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical production: plan, coordinate and oversee UAS mechanical production activities, including assembly, testing and fault-finding.
• Provide technical leadership to engineers, technicians and fitters, promoting safety and quality.
• Oversee prototype development and testing, implementing mechanical modifications for performance and capability.
• Ensure compliance with UK civil/military aviation requirements (CAA/MAA, DAOS).
• Investigate mechanical and production failures, identify root causes and apply corrective actions.
• Maintain engineering documentation, manage ECOs and support verification processes.

Skills

Mechanical production

Technical leadership

Regulatory compliance

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering degree

Job description

Build the Future of Autonomous Systems

SYOS designs and manufactures advanced uncrewed systems across air, land, sea, and subsurface domains. We combine intelligent engineering, AI-driven autonomy, and innovative design to create next-generation vehicles operating in some of the world's most challenging environments.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership across the production, assembly and integration of SYOS’s Uncrewed Air Systems in the UK.

This is a hands-on, senior engineering role where you’ll work closely with the Air Vehicle Design Lead and collaborate with our core design team in New Zealand. You’ll lead complex mechanical engineering activities, guide multidisciplinary teams and ensure UAS production meets demanding structural, safety, quality and regulatory requirements.

From prototype development and physical builds through to testing, fault investigation and production delivery, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring our heavy-payload UAS platforms are built and deployed safely and effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical production: Plan, coordinate and oversee UAS mechanical production activities, including component assembly, integration, testing and fault-finding, in line with approved production plans and engineering requirements.
• Provide technical leadership: Guide, mentor and develop multidisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians and fitters, promoting accountability, technical excellence and safe working practices.
• Oversee prototype development and testing: Lead prototype builds, physical testing and evaluation, implementing and validating mechanical modifications to improve aircraft performance and operational capability.
• Ensure engineering compliance and safety: Support compliance with applicable UK civil and military aviation requirements, including relevant CAA and MAA frameworks, DAOS requirements and safety management obligations.
• Resolve complex engineering issues: Investigate mechanical and production failures alongside Mechanical and Electrical Design Engineers, identify root causes and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Maintain design assurance and documentation: Interpret engineering drawings and technical data packages, manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), maintain document version control and support compliance verification through the Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE).
• Drive continuous improvement and collaboration: Work closely with the Air Vehicle Design Lead and the New Zealand design team to align engineering procedures, production activities and regulatory requirements, while promoting safety, quality and continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree, or equivalent qualification, in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Aircraft Maintenance, including relevant EASA Part 66 or UK CAA licensing frameworks.
• Proven senior-level experience in aircraft mechanics and mechanical production within the aerospace or defence sectors, ideally involving unmanned systems weighing 200 kg or more.
• Direct working knowledge of UK MAA regulations, DAOS requirements and CAA Specific Category S2 operational approvals.
• Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring aircraft engineers, technicians and fitters.
• Experience working with international engineering teams and validating engineering procedures against country-specific regulatory frameworks.
• The ability to work within, or develop and implement, an overarching Air Safety Management System (ASMS), such as one aligned with Def Stan 00-56.
• Strong experience in mechanical production environments, with the ability to interpret production plans and resolve complex assembly issues under pressure.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with a practical, methodical approach to technical challenges.
• Experience with systems testing, quality assurance methodologies and technical documentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex engineering and compliance requirements clearly to production teams.
• A strong commitment to safety, quality, collaboration and continuous technical improvement.

Why Syos

Our mission is to extend human capability, protect people, and deliver operational advantage through accessible, scalable, and intelligent autonomous technology.

Join a team of engineers, builders, and innovators pushing boundaries and solving real-world challenges across robotics, aerospace, and autonomy.

If you’re an experienced aerospace professional who combines strong technical expertise with practical leadership and a commitment to air safety, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of autonomous aviation.