At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and manage systems for innovative aircraft technology.
- Company: Join a passionate startup transforming aviation near Salisbury.
- Benefits: Significant equity, competitive salary, unlimited paid time off.
- Other info: Immediate impact in a dynamic team with growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a founding engineer and shape the future of aviation technology.
- Qualifications: Deep knowledge of systems engineering and aeronautical background required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A small and focussed team has been developing our prototype aircraft for technical demonstrations and seed fundraising in Q1 2026. Now in receipt of 2 separate grant funding awards, Flyer is expanding our 3-person founding team with 3 key, critical roles. You will join this incredible team, onsite, working directly with the founder and our expanding team to take Flyer from tech startup to global phenomenon over the next 5 years.
LOCATION
We are currently located near the beautiful and vibrant city of Salisbury, in Wiltshire. A move early next year to premises nearer Bristol or London is under consideration.
What you'll be doing
As a founding engineer for Systems and Safety Engineering at Flyer AI, you'll own the design. Specifically:
- Requirements Management: You will capture and manage the requirements for the entire system, from the flight controller to our proprietary autonomous winch system (the "Puck") and Detect & Avoid (DAA) computer vision systems.
- Architectural Trade-offs: You will help make critical decisions on hardware selection (e.g., sensor redundancy vs. weight) to keep the aircraft under our 15kg target.
- Regulatory Pathfinding: You will support the generation of the Operational Authorisation from the CAA, helping us move from the A3 Open Category into the Specific Category.
- The Safety Case: You will lead the safety assessment process which will lean on aspects of ARP4761, helping to define how we handle failures and manage emergency procedures.
Our vehicle is not just an aircraft - it is a complex robotic system integrating multiple sensors and processors, and executing multiple functions.
What we're looking for
We are not looking for ordinary people. We're looking for passionate, driven and enthusiastic team members who dream of doing impossible things with technology, and changing the world around us. Team players who live our values: passion, commitment, courage, integrity, and trust.
- Deep knowledge of systems engineering principles.
- Structured yet Agile - you can implement systems engineering processes (Vmodel, requirements tracing) that are lightweight enough for a startup but robust enough for aviation.
- A detail-obsessed mindset who thrives on comprehensive analysis and planning, and spots the single point of failure that everyone else missed.
- Intuitive problem-solving skills and first-principles thinking.
- Knowledge of ARP 4761, SORA Methodology, CAA and overseas drone aircraft regulations.
- Aeronautical engineering background.
- Experience in flight testing of piloted or UAV systems.
- Familiarity with commercial / open source UAV flight controllers and firmware.
What you'll get
- Significant Equity – as a founding team member, you will own a significant stake in the future we are building.
- Immediate Impact - you will be one of the first 6 employees, shaping the engineering culture from day one.
- Competitive salary – an initial stipend plus salary uplift following Q1 2026 fundraising.
- Unlimited paid time off – take what you need, when you need it.
Founding Engineer – Systems and Safety Engineering in Salisbury employer: Flyer Ai
At Flyer AI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to join a passionate and driven founding team in the vibrant area near Salisbury, Wiltshire. With significant equity stakes, unlimited paid time off, and the chance to shape our engineering culture from the ground up, we foster a collaborative work environment that encourages innovation and personal growth. As we transition towards Bristol or London, you'll be at the forefront of pioneering technology that aims to change the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Engineer – Systems and Safety Engineering in Salisbury
✨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 Flyer Ai for a Founding Engineer – Systems and Safety Engineering. 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 Founding Engineer – Systems and Safety Engineering in Salisbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Flyer Ai, 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 Flyer Ai, 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 Flyer Ai
✨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 Flyer Ai.
✨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 Flyer Ai. 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 Flyer Ai love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
