At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and test cutting-edge UAV flight control systems with innovative technology.
- Company: Join Callen-Lenz, a rapidly growing leader in unmanned air systems.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private health insurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of aerospace innovation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience with Ardupilot and strong C++ skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
- Autopilot Software Engineer
- Position: Full-time
At Callen-Lenz, we are expanding the limits of what is possible.
We specialise in crewed and uncrewed aircraft operations and technology and having recently received investment into the business we are going through a period of rapid growth and development and are looking for key roles to assist with these changes.
Callen-Lenz offers innovative and customer-focused UAS solutions through our 4 key business strands: technical services, products, platforms and operational services.
We are looking for individuals to help drive forward our expansion, placing you at forefront of UAS development in the UK.
Our Values
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Excellence
- Why Work for Us
Based in the heart of rural Wiltshire, close to the Historic city of Salisbury you will join our rapidly growing, friendly and multi-disciplined team, working on a range of diverse and interesting projects, leading the way in this exciting field and witnessing the full lifecycle of our products.
The Callen-Lenz team are passionate about what we do, and we are searching for individuals to grow with us as we expand into the aerospace industry.
Our benefits include
- 25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays)
- Buy/Sell holiday policy up to 5 days either way
- Pension Scheme via Royal London
- Company contributed Share Incentive Plan.
- Green Car Scheme
- Life assurance scheme (6x basic salary)
- Income protection policy (75% of basic salary)
- Private Health Insurance via Bupa
- Private Dental insurance via Bupa
- Enhanced Maternity and paternity
- 1 Professional membership reimbursed per year
- 1 paid volunteering day per year
- Access to an independent financial advisor year round
- Training & development opportunities
About the role
As an Autopilot Software Engineer, you will be working on cutting-edge UAV projects.
This exciting role will place the right candidate at the forefront of unmanned air systems development in the UK.
Working within the Autopilot team, you will be supporting in the delivery of engineering outputs including software requirements, software design, software implementation and software testing.
Applying your knowledge and principles of engineering to assist in the implementation of aircraft control systems to a high degree of safety and reliability.
Responsibilities
- Develop, configure, and test Ardupilot-based flight control systems for various UAV platforms.
- Test and optimise flight behaviours, parameters, and mission execution in both SITL (Software-in-the-Loop) and real flight environments.
- Support sensor integration (GPS, cameras, Li DAR, etc.) and ensure robust flight performance.
- Contribute to documentation, simulation environments, and internal development standards.
- Assist in software high-level requirements capture and documentation.
- Support software architectural design.
- Contribution to innovation by assisting in research into and application of emergent technologies.
- Support the implementation of the Software Engineering Quality Practices.
- Participation in peer reviews.
- Perform other related duties as required.
- Health and Safety
- Demonstrate in daily activities a commitment to health and safety in the workplace by always ensuring tasks are performed in the safest possible manner.
- Report all hazards and incidents that the individual is party to, or observes, in the correct manner.
- When required or directed, participate in any health and safety training.
Skills and Experience
Qualifications
Desired
BSc or MSc degree in an Engineering or Science subject. Preferably with experience in aeronautical or aviation industries.
Essential
- Proven hands-on experience with Ardupilot, PX4, or similar open-source autopilot stacks.
- Strong knowledge of MAVLink, mission planning, and UAV communication protocols.
- Practical experience with UAV tuning, flight testing, and log analysis (Mission Planner, MAVProxy, etc.).
- Excellent working knowledge of C++
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced R&D environment.
- Experience working with communication protocols such as: CAN, SPI, I2C, UDP, TCP.
- Experience taking a design from software requirements definition through to completion.
Desirable
- Familiarity with Linux environments and Ardupilot SITL.
- Exposure to other programming languages such as LUA (strong plus), Python, Rust.
- Knowledge of safety related engineering practices.
- Working in an Agile environment.
- Background of aeronautics and control systems.
- Familiarity with PID control loops.
- Experience with flight control systems.
- General interest in aviation.
- Personal Attributes
- Must be a British Citizen or have an existing right to work in the UK.
- Ability to commit to occasional national and international travel.
- A full valid UK driving license.
- Excellent communicator.
- Excellent problem-solving ability.
- Ability to work well in a team.
- Enthusiasm for their work and self-motivated.
- Ability to hold Security Clearance – 5 years residence in the UK.
Callen-Lenz is an equal opportunities employer, committed to building an inclusive working environment.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
It is essential that the successful candidate must, by the start of their employment have permission to work in the UK.
Proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK will be required prior to commencement of employment.
Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions.
These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation.
All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard.
Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks
Autopilot Software Engineer in London employer: Callen-Lenz
Callen-Lenz in Salisbury is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave, a pension scheme, and private health insurance, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally in a dynamic team environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Autopilot Software Engineer in London
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Callen-Lenz for a Autopilot Software Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Autopilot Software Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Callen-Lenz, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Callen-Lenz, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Callen-Lenz
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Callen-Lenz.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Callen-Lenz. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Callen-Lenz love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
