Senior UAV Systems Engineer (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Senior UAV Systems Engineer (Aerospace): Leading the platform architecture and systems integration for next-generation unmanned aerial systems with an accent on safety-by-design, airworthiness compliance, and cross-disciplinary subsystem coordination. Focus on bridging high-level requirements with deployable hardware, managing complex verification activities, and ensuring mission-readiness in contested environments.

Location: Onsite in Swindon, UK. Must be security-cleared or eligible to obtain UK defence clearance.

Company

hirify.global is a defence technology company developing high-performance, software-defined autonomous systems for NATO Allies and their partners.

What you will do

• Serve as the senior technical authority for UAS platform development, owning system architecture and performance from concept to deployment.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams across mechanical, electrical, avionics, and software domains to ensure full-lifecycle integration.
• Define and manage system requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), and technical budgets.
• Execute system safety programs, including hazard assessments (PHA/SHA/SSHA) and FMEA/DFMEA activities.
• Coordinate payload integration and custom hardware/software interfaces with internal teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Manage tactical engineering tasks during development sprints and lead rigorous flight-test campaigns.

Requirements

• Degree in Aerospace, Systems, Electrical, Robotic, or related Engineering discipline.
• Significant industry experience in systems engineering for UAVs or safety-critical aerospace platforms.
• Proficiency with requirements management tools like IBM DOORS and MBSE principles.
• Familiarity with aerospace safety standards such as ARP4754A, ARP4761, DO-178C, or DO-254.
• Must be security-cleared or eligible to obtain UK defence clearance.
• Ability to travel within the UK/Europe for flight testing and field integration.

Nice to have

• Prior experience as a Systems Engineering Lead on a fielded UAV platform.
• Experience integrating tactical payloads, electronic warfare components, or edge-computing hardware.
• Background in start-up or scale-up environments with rapid prototyping and HIL testing.

Culture & Benefits

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomous systems for defence applications.
• Fast-moving, agile environment focused on rapid capability delivery.
• Direct impact on the technological edge of NATO Allies.