Software Engineer - UAV/UAS/Robotics

Fortice; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortice in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced software engineer for defence tech, focusing on real-time messaging, embedded Linux, and end-to-end integrations with partner systems and C2 platforms.

You will work across protocols such as MQTT, WebSockets and gRPC, build integrations with third‑party APIs, and deploy with the team on exercises to validate field readiness. Hybrid work with SC clearance eligibility preferred.

Qualifications

• Exposure to real‑time messaging and data standards is a plus.
• Experience with embedded or systems‑level software and protocols.
• Experience building integrations against third‑party APIs/SDKs.

Responsibilities

• Integrate with partner systems, tactical networks and C2 platforms.
• Own end‑to‑end integrations with third‑party APIs/SDKs.
• Develop real‑time messaging and data protocol implementations.
• Deploy with the team on exercises to validate field readiness.

Skills

Real-time messaging

C/C++

Embedded Linux

API integrations

Python

Node.js

WebSockets

gRPC

Job description

UK / Hybrid — Regular international travel, including NATO and allied Operational Exercises

Looking for something a little bit spicier than your typical software role? If you want a role where no two days feel the same.... Read on!

I’m working with an early-stage defence tech start-up who are building a product to counter ever growing UAS/UAV threats.

They have a working prototype which has been trialed in the field on multiple NATO military exercises.

They already have purchase orders in place. The goal now is to improve and iterate as they work towards getting it production ready.

That means getting it to talk reliably to partner systems, tactical networks and C2 platforms or even integrating it onto an autonomous vehicle, then deploy with the team on exercise to see whether it holds up.

What we’re looking for:

If you’ve had exposure to real-time messaging and data standards or the likes of TAK/ATAK, CoT, MQTT or SAPIENT. That would be ideal but not necessary.

What’s important is that you’ve tackled this kind of problem before and have experience in some of the following:

• Real-time messaging and protocol work: MQTT, WebSockets, gRPC, raw TCP/UDP or socket-level programming.
• Embedded or systems-level software: C/C++, embedded Linux, device drivers, or low-level hardware interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART)
• Building integrations against a third party's API, SDK, or published spec and owning that relationship end-to-end.
• Comfort operating below the HTTP/REST abstraction when the problem calls for it.
• Python or Node.js for services, tooling, and orchestration.

Experience working in Defence Tech, C-UAS or Robotics would be preferred but not essential. You may have come from an EV charging, IoT or industrial telecoms.

UK based. Remote leaning but in the lab when needed. Eligibility for SC clearance needed.