System Design Engineer

Randstad Technologies Recruitment; Salisbury; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad Technologies Recruitment seeks an experienced Systems Engineer/Architect to lead the integration of 3rd-party payloads onto advanced UAV platforms. The role is hybrid, with three on-site days weekly in Salisbury area, and sprint-driven engineering focus on first-principles calculations and RF considerations.

You will draft ICDs, validate interfaces between sensors, edge processors and flight control units, and review avionics schematics while managing change through PLM/DDM systems.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years in UAV/robotics or defence SME environments.
• Strong knowledge of CAN bus, Ethernet, Serial protocols and C3 radio links.
• Hands-on problem solver driven by physical calculations.
• Experience with hardware interface design and integrating 3rd-party payloads.

Responsibilities

• Draft ICDs and interface concepts between 3rd-party sensors, edge processors and flight control units.
• Conduct first-principles calculations for RF link margins, power budgets and thermal/mass balances.
• Evaluate EMC/EMI concerns, optimize antenna placement and assess radio performance for C3 equipment.
• Review avionics schematics in Altium/KiCad and manage change control via PLM/DDM.

Skills

CAN bus

Ethernet

Serial protocols

C3 radio links

Tools

Altium

KiCad

PLM

DDM systems

Job description

Job Title: Systems Engineer / Architect (C3 & Payload Integration Lead)

Location: Salisbury / Chilmark, Wiltshire (Hybrid: 3 days/week onsite)

Domain: Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), Flight Control Avionics, Power Distribution

Clearance: UK SC Cleared or SC Eligible (Day 1 BPSS mandatory)

The Role

Lead the architectural integration of 3rd-party COTS payloads (radios, GPS, AI vision/LIDAR hardware) onto advanced UAV platforms. Operating within fast-paced 4-week agile sprints, this is a hands-on, highly technical role focused on first-principles engineering and physical calculations rather than heavy process documentation.

Core Responsibilities

• Architecture & Integration: Draft Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and logical connection methodologies between 3rd-party sensors, edge processors, and flight control units.


• First-Principles Engineering: Execute calculations in Excel/Python for RF link margins, power distribution budgets, and thermal/mass balances.


• RF & Communications: Evaluate EMC/EMI considerations, optimize antenna placement, and assess radio performance characteristics across Command, Control & Communications (C3) equipment.


• Hardware Review: Review avionics schematics in Altium/KiCad and manage change control through PLM/DDM systems.

Required Skills & DNA

• Experience: 5 to 8 years in fast-paced UAV, robotics, or agile defence SME environments.


• Technical Stack: Strong knowledge of CAN bus, Ethernet, Serial protocols, and C3 radio links.


• Tools: Python/Excel for engineering models; Altium/KiCad (review level); PLM/DDM systems.


• Engineering Approach: You must be a hands-on problem solver driven by physical calculations. Please note: This role is not suited for "paper engineers" reliant on DOORS trace matrices or heavy civil aviation compliance processes (e.g., DO-178C/DO-254).