At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UAV integration across platforms, ensuring smooth transition from prototype to production.
- Company: Fast-growing defence technology business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and opportunities for travel.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth in a cutting-edge industry.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of UAV technology and make a real impact in defence.
- Qualifications: Experience in UAVs or related fields, strong engineering skills, and problem-solving mindset.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
A fast-growing defence technology business is seeking a UAV Integration Engineer to take ownership of integration engineering across existing and new UAV platforms. This is a broad, hands-on role for a practical whole-systems engineer who can work across mechanical, electrical, avionics, propulsion, fuel, payload and mission systems. The successful candidate will help bridge design engineering, production and external manufacturing partners, supporting the transition from prototype builds into repeatable, scalable production.
Key Responsibilities
- UAV Integration & Scale-Up
- Own and manage integration engineering activity across existing UAV platforms and new product development.
- Act as the key interface between design engineering, production, quality, supply chain and programme teams.
- Support the scale-up from prototype builds to repeatable production processes.
- Identify integration risks early and propose practical mitigation plans.
- Drive standardisation of integration processes, tooling, checklists and working methods.
- Support training of technicians, production staff and external manufacturing partners.
- Ensure integration traceability, configuration compliance and consistent engineering standards.
- Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for integration issues.
- Systems Engineering Ownership
- Build a deep understanding of the full UAV platform and the rationale behind existing design decisions.
- Work across mechanical systems including airframe structures, propulsion and fuel systems.
- Work across electrical, avionics, control, payload and mission equipment systems.
- Evaluate subsystem compatibility and support practical engineering decisions during integration.
- Documentation & Knowledge Management
- Capture UAV knowledge held by external stakeholders and ensure it is transferred into internal systems.
- Manage integration documentation including checklists, quality control records, integration training materials and tooling requirements.
- Support the preparation, review and maintenance of assembly instructions, wiring diagrams, BOMs, drawings, test records and production procedures.
- Maintain accurate integration records to support traceability and configuration control.
- Hands-On Assembly & Integration
- Provide hands-on support for assembly and integration of airframe structures, avionics, wiring, payloads and mission equipment.
- Assist with fit checks, mechanical modifications, cable routing, mounting solutions and integration problem solving.
- Resolve technical issues during build, integration and test activity.
- Electrical Systems, Testing & Flight Readiness
- Support configuration, troubleshooting and functional testing of integrated electrical and control systems.
- Support ground testing, system verification and readiness activities ahead of flight testing or deployment.
- Develop and manage detailed commissioning and factory acceptance test protocols.
- Support preparation of UAVs for flight testing, demonstrations and customer-facing trials.
- Supplier, Subcontractor & Manufacturing Partner Support
- Manage and support external subcontract integration partners through introduction, ramp-up and ongoing delivery.
- Ensure subcontractors and manufacturing partners work to internal quality standards, safety procedures and engineering best practice.
- Work closely with partners onsite where required, typically around 1-2 times per month.
- Product Development & Continuous Improvement
- Collaborate with design and engineering teams to integrate new functionality in line with the product roadmap.
- Support the engineering team in capturing knowledge required for full digital twins in Onshape.
- Create and manage updated BOMs for new variants.
- Support supply chain teams in evaluating alternate component sources and ensuring compatibility.
- Contribute practical engineering insight to improve build efficiency, maintainability, reliability and overall product quality.
Candidate Profile
- Experience in UAVs, aerospace, defence, autonomous systems, robotics, avionics or complex electromechanical hardware.
- Strong whole-systems engineering understanding across mechanical and electrical systems.
- Comfortable working strategically and hands-on.
- Experience supporting prototype-to-production scale-up.
- Able to work closely with design, production, quality, supply chain and programme teams.
- Strong documentation, configuration control and process standardisation mindset.
- Practical problem solver with strong communication skills.
- Able to support external manufacturing partners and subcontractors.
- English required; Polish useful but not essential.
- Onshape or digital twin experience would be useful but is not essential.
This is an opportunity to play a key role in bringing advanced UAV platforms into repeatable production within a high-growth defence technology environment.
System Integrator in City of London employer: Electus Recruitment Solutions
Join a fast-growing defence technology business that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work environment in either Warsaw or London. As a System Integrator, you'll benefit from hands-on experience in cutting-edge UAV integration while enjoying opportunities for professional growth and development. The company fosters a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement, ensuring that you play a pivotal role in shaping the future of defence technology.
Contact Details:
Electus Recruitment Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land System Integrator in City of 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 Electus Recruitment Solutions for a System Integrator. 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 System Integrator in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Electus Recruitment Solutions, 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 Electus Recruitment Solutions, 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 Electus Recruitment Solutions
✨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 Electus Recruitment Solutions.
✨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 Electus Recruitment Solutions. 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 Electus Recruitment Solutions love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
