At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative drone engineering projects from concept to deployment and mentor junior engineers.
- Company: Fast-growing uncrewed systems engineering business with a focus on complex solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, influence over engineering decisions, and a culture of professional excellence.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a fast-moving environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of drone technology and work on exciting, varied projects.
- Qualifications: Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and significant experience in drone systems engineering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A specialist, fast-growing uncrewed systems engineering business delivering technically complex solutions across air, land, and maritime domains. Their client base spans commercial, industrial, research, and government sectors and their work covers everything from concept design and prototyping through to systems integration, field testing, and operational deployment.
A small but highly capable organisation with genuine technical depth, known for solving complex engineering challenges quickly and professionally. This is a pivotal moment in their growth and this hire sits at the centre of it.
The company's principal technical authority on all aerial and drone-related engineering matters. A senior, hands-on leadership role combining technical design, systems engineering, quality assurance, and technical direction across multiple concurrent projects.
You will work closely with project managers and company leadership to ensure every solution delivered is safe, compliant, and professionally engineered while also serving as the central point of technical expertise for internal staff, external contractors, and clients.
What You'll Be Doing
- Acting as primary technical authority across all engineering matters company-wide
- Leading end-to-end systems design from concept through to deployment platform, propulsion, avionics, sensors, communications, and ground control
- Reviewing and approving engineering decisions, architectures, and design documentation
- Translating client requirements into robust technical solutions alongside project managers
- Assuring technical quality and regulatory compliance across all projects
- Designing, implementing, and monitoring test and evaluation content including FMEA frameworks
- Providing technical oversight and direction to external contractors and suppliers
- Mentoring and developing internal technical staff and junior engineers
- Resolving complex integration challenges across navigation/PNT, comms/data links, sensors, payloads, networking, and control systems
- Staying current with emerging technologies, regulations, and standards across air, land, and maritime domains
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- Degree in Aeronautical, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related discipline
- Significant professional experience in drone, autonomous, or uncrewed systems engineering
- Demonstrable systems engineering and technical design leadership experience
- Strong understanding of relevant regulations and compliance frameworks (CAA, CAP 722, BVLOS, EASA)
- Proven ability to deliver technically complex projects from concept to deployment
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and external suppliers
- Experience designing and assessing test and evaluation programmes
Desirable:
- Experience with autonomous or semi-autonomous systems
- Knowledge of communications protocols, networking, and secure data links
- Sensor integration experience optical, thermal, LiDAR, radar, or similar
- Familiarity with certification or regulatory engagement processes
- Experience in defence, research, or industrial unscrewed sectors
- Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional recognition
What's On Offer
- A genuinely pivotal role principal technical authority shaping the direction of an ambitious uncrewed systems business
- Direct influence over engineering decisions and company strategy
- Varied, technically challenging work across multiple domains and client types
- Close collaboration with leadership and decision-makers in a fast-moving environment
- A culture that values expertise, initiative, and professional excellence
Drone Engineer in City of London employer: SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™
Contact Detail:
SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Drone Engineer in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the drone and aeronautical engineering fields. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, designs, and any cool stuff you've worked on. This is your chance to demonstrate your technical expertise and problem-solving abilities. Make sure to highlight any experience with systems integration and compliance frameworks!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and understanding of regulations like CAA and EASA. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled complex engineering challenges in the past. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can relate your experiences to the role of a principal technical authority.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Keep an eye on our job listings and make sure your application stands out by tailoring it to the specific role and demonstrating your passion for uncrewed systems engineering.
We think you need these skills to ace Drone Engineer in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Drone Engineer role. Highlight your experience in aeronautical systems and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about drone engineering and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and personal, so we get a sense of who you are.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: In your application, don’t shy away from showcasing your technical skills and experiences. Mention specific projects or technologies you've worked with that relate to the role. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their knowledge!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your aeronautical and drone systems knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those that involved complex engineering challenges. This role is all about technical authority, so showing your expertise will definitely impress.
✨Understand the Regulations
Familiarise yourself with relevant regulations like CAA, CAP 722, and EASA. Be prepared to talk about how you've navigated compliance in past projects. This shows you not only know the technical side but also understand the legal framework that governs it.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since this is a senior role, highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams. Share examples of how you've mentored junior engineers or provided technical oversight. They want to see that you can guide others while managing multiple projects.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's current projects and future direction. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals. Plus, it gives you a chance to demonstrate your strategic thinking.