Software Engineer in Somerset

Software Engineer

Please be advised

• We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• 2 years minimum of experience in a software engineer role.
• This role is based onsite at our Bristol office (UWE Future Space) and requires regular in-person attendance.

Location Bristol (UWE Future Space), with occasional travel to other project sites as required.

Position Type Full-time

About HVN Labs

HVN Labs Ltd develops advanced drone swarm systems for live light shows and other applications. Our mission is to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective drone platforms that enable creative performances at scale, while also building capabilities that extend into adjacent industries such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, and live event technology.

We combine expertise in aerospace engineering, software development, and control systems to push the boundaries of what autonomous drones can achieve.

Role Overview

We are seeking a versatile Software Engineer to join our growing development team and contribute to the evolution of our Drone Swarm Platform. This role focuses on building Swarm Control & Coordination Software and the Operations & Control Software that underpins real-time planning, monitoring, and safe execution of large-scale drone operations.

You\'ll work across multiple layers of the platform—from distributed swarm coordination logic and telemetry pipelines to intuitive real-time pilot interfaces and post-flight analysis tools. The role would suit an engineer who enjoys solving complex systems challenges, thrives in collaborative environments, and wants to build technology that has both creative and mission-critical impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Swarm Control & Coordination Software: Design and maintain core systems that enable large-scale, synchronised drone flight—including mission planning, fleet coordination, safety features, and the real-time pilot interface.
• Data & Telemetry: Develop systems for robust logging, telemetry monitoring, and replay, supporting compliance and performance optimisation.
• Systems Integration: Connect and integrate external SDKs, APIs, and protocols (e.g. MAVLink, GNSS services, visualisation or lighting frameworks) into cohesive solutions.
• Reliability & Safety: Implement scalable and fault-tolerant designs, with automated testing and redundancy in mind for safety-critical use cases.
• Deployment & Tooling: Contribute to DevOps practices, including containerisation, SITL (Software in the Loop) test environments, and automated CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaboration: Work closely with hardware engineers, flight operators, and creative teams to deliver end-to-end solutions that bridge drones and human operators.
• Agile Practices: Participate in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, code reviews, and retrospectives, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.
• Innovation & R&D: Explore emerging technologies (AI-assisted flight optimisation, distributed networking, advanced operator interfaces) and contribute to R&D prototypes.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• BSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Proficiency in TypeScript/JavaScript (modern standards) with strong knowledge of performance and system design.
• Proficiency in Python, particularly for scripting, data processing, or system integration.
• Familiarity with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing workflows.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a proactive and structured approach.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills, comfortable working across hardware, software, and creative disciplines.
• Highly organised, dependable, and detail-oriented in both code and documentation.

Desirable (but not required) Skills

• Familiarity with drone software stacks (e.g. ArduPilot, PX4).
• Experience with telemetry protocols like MAVLink.
• Awareness of cybersecurity practices in distributed systems.
• Exposure to machine learning in robotics, optimisation, or anomaly detection.
• Experience in safety-critical or high-reliability systems engineering.
• Knowledge of containerisation and cloud deployment (Docker, Kubernetes, AWS/GCP).

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work on cutting-edge drone swarm technology with global applications.
• A role where your contributions directly influence live aerial performances and future product lines.
• Hands-on collaboration with experts across aerospace, robotics, AI, and creative industries.
• Access to live flight testing, simulators, and advanced development tools.
• A supportive culture of learning, experimentation, and professional growth, with opportunities for mentorship and career progression.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bristol BS34 8RB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• software engineering: 2 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person