At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of cutting-edge Ground Control Station software for autonomous platforms.
- Company: Innovative aerospace company pushing the boundaries of technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the exciting field of autonomous systems and aviation.
- Qualifications: 4-7 years of C++ experience and strong skills in Qt/QML.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
We build autonomous platforms that operate beyond visual line of sight. Our systems are flying now and we need the software engineer who'll own the ground side of that equation.
We're hiring a Ground Software Engineer to lead the development of our Ground Control Station (GCS) software. This is a hands‐on, ownership-heavy role sitting at the intersection of real‐time UI, telemetry, and control systems working directly alongside flight software, avionics, and hardware engineers.
You'll own the GCS application end-to-end from architecture and backend logic through to the operator-facing interface. You'll be building software that real operators use in real missions, so quality, reliability, and usability all matter.
What You'll Be Doing
- Owning the design, development, and maintenance of our Qt/QML-based GCS application
- Building high-performance, real-time operator interfaces for command, control, and telemetry display
- Integrating telemetry streams, mission planning tools, and payload data into a single coherent operator environment
- Implementing and maintaining communication links between ground systems and uncrewed platforms (MAVLink or proprietary protocols over UDP/TCP/serial)
- Working with geospatial and mapping data to support mission planning and situational awareness
- Interfacing with hardware — USB devices, RF links, sensors — at the application layer
- Collaborating with flight software and avionics engineers to define and maintain interface standards
- Contributing to software architecture, code reviews, and CI/CD pipeline improvement
What We're Looking For
- 4–7 years of C++ development experience — strong, modern C++ (C++14/17)
- Solid Qt and QML experience — both Qt Widgets and Qt Quick considered
- Background in GCS, HMI, or operator interface development for UAV, UAS, robotics, or autonomous platforms
- Experience integrating real-time data streams (telemetry, sensor feeds, video) into UI applications
- Familiarity with communication protocols — MAVLink, UDP/TCP, serial, DDS or similar
- Comfortable with Linux development environments
- Git and CI/CD proficiency expected
Nice to Have
- Experience with QGroundControl, Mission Planner, or similar existing GCS platforms
- Exposure to PX4, ArduPilot, or other autopilot stacks
- GIS or mapping library experience (Cesium, OpenSceneGraph, Marble or similar)
- BVLOS operations context
- Python scripting for tooling or automation
- Awareness of safety-conscious software practices in aerospace or defence
Ground Software Engineer in Newbury employer: SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM
Join a pioneering team in Berkshire that is at the forefront of developing autonomous platforms. As a Ground Software Engineer, you'll enjoy a collaborative work culture that values innovation and hands-on ownership, with ample opportunities for professional growth in a cutting-edge field. Our commitment to quality and reliability ensures that your contributions will have a direct impact on real missions, making this an exciting and rewarding place to advance your career.
Contact Details:
SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Ground Software Engineer in Newbury
✨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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM for a Ground 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 Ground Software Engineer in Newbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM, 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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM, 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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM
✨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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM.
✨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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM. 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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
