UAV Operations Engineer (UK)

Delian Alliance Industries; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A defense technology company in London seeks a UAV Operations Engineer to deploy and operate cutting-edge UAVs. You will conduct flight testing, support field operations, and integrate complex systems. Candidates should have hands-on UAV experience and CAD proficiency. This role requires significant travel across Europe, contributing to innovative defense solutions.

Qualifications

• Must have experience flying fixed-wing UAVs and willing to obtain a license.
• Hands-on experience with ArduPilot including tuning and mission planning.
• Proficiency in CAD modeling for engineering drawings.

Responsibilities

• Conduct flight testing and data analysis for UAVs.
• Support field operations as a licensed UAV pilot.
• Integrate electrical circuits, avionics, and autopilot systems.

Skills

Flying fixed-wing UAVs

Building UAVs or RC planes

Hands-on experience with ArduPilot

Proficiency in CAD modeling

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

As a UAV Operations Engineer at Delian, you’ll play a central role in deploying and operating the products redefining modern warfare. From mission planning to live execution, you’ll be at the heart of taking our systems from the lab to the field.

This role is hands‑on and impact‑driven: you’ll prepare, launch, recover, and troubleshoot our fixed‑wing UAVs in real‑world environments,

In this role you will get to

• Conduct flight testing and data analysis, troubleshooting aerodynamic or systems issues.

• Support field operations as a licensed UAV pilot with hands‑on experience flying fixed‑wing aircrafts.

• Integrate electrical circuits, avionics, sensors, and autopilot systems (ArduPilot/PX4 or equivalent).

• Develop detailed 3D models and engineering drawings using CAD software (SolidWorks or equivalent).

• Build, assemble, and test airframes and subsystems, ensuring airworthiness and performance against design goals.

• Maintain compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards for UAV development and operations.

• Travel around Europe and coordinate logistics accordingly

Must have experience

• Know how to fly fixed‑wing UAVs (and willing to get a license after joining us).

• Past experience building UAVs or RC planes, for work or personal projects.

• Hands‑on experience with ArduPilot (tuning, mission planning, hardware integration).

• Proficiency in CAD modeling.

Nice to have experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.

• Strong background in aerodynamics, propulsion, and flight mechanics.

• Proficiency in CFD analysis.

• Understanding of electrical circuits, power systems, and avionics integration.

• Knowledge of manufacturing methods (composite fabrication, 3D printing, CNC machining).

• Track record of building prototypes and advancing to production‑ready designs.

• Experience in weight optimization, payload integration, and endurance improvement.

• Exposure to defense, aerospace, or UAV regulatory environments.

• Strong problem‑solving, documentation, and teamwork skills.

Please note that this role might require travel over 50% of the time, including UK, Europe and elsewhere.

About Delian

We live under a new world order. To protect Europe and its allies we're building a new defense prime. One tailored for the era of autonomous warfare.

While building for the future, our culture emulates the defense industry's roots: mass scale; operational excellence; execution speed; rapid technology adoption.

To strive for this we combine expertise in autonomy, electronic warfare and rapid manufacturing. Paired with young, passionate and mission driven engineering and technical talent.

We have offices in Athens & London.