At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and run a cutting-edge lab, integrating innovative UAV systems for UK customers.
- Company: Fast-growing defence-tech company with a mission-first mentality.
- Benefits: Hands-on experience, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for rapid career growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team where experimentation and ownership are encouraged.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of technology, solving real-world problems and making an impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or equivalent experience; hands-on skills with UAVs and robotics.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
You are the hands-on engineering presence in the UK. You stand up the UK lab, integrate Xtend systems for UK customers, execute customer-funded development locally, and resolve issues in the field. This is a builder-operator role spanning bench work, field work, software, and customer-facing engineering. The candidate who thrives here wants to build a lab from an empty room and put systems into operators' hands.
Core responsibilities
- Stand up and run the UK lab from a blank room – bench, tools, test rigs, secure storage, configuration control. Specify it, source it, build it.
- Integrate, configure, and test Xtend UAV and unmanned systems against UK customer requirements.
- Execute customer-funded development tasks and modifications in the UK, with international engineering teams as your peer-level backstop.
- Support delivery, demos, training, and field events – bringing genuine technical depth on the ground, not just briefings.
- Own first-line technical troubleshooting on UK-deployed systems. When the call comes in, you respond.
- Run the UK technical asset register, firmware and software baselines, and integration records.
- Feed UK field learnings back into the global engineering roadmap.
- You are engineering's eyes and hands on the customer side.
Requirements
- BEng / BSc or equivalent in electronics, mechatronics, aerospace, robotics, or related engineering discipline. Strong self-taught engineers will be considered.
- 3-7 years hands-on engineering on UAVs, robotics, embedded systems, or comparable hardware-software products.
- Genuinely bench-capable: soldering, harnessing, debug, configuration, basic mechanical work. Comfortable with the kit, not only the documentation.
- Software literacy – Linux, scripting, basic networking, comms protocols.
- Able to work with engineering teams as a technical peer. Multi-disciplinary mindset.
- Fluent English; right to work in the UK.
- Strong advantage: UAV / counter-UAS / UGV experience, RF and comms familiarity, CAA / Article 16 awareness, ex-military technician background.
Environment and expectations
Xtend UK is a fast-growing defence-tech company. Pace is high, structure is being built, and ownership is real. You will be expected to contribute beyond the formal scope of your role. Team members support each other to execute the mission successfully. Mission-first mentality. We are building capability that ends up in the hands of operators – that comes before process and hierarchy. This role is about experimentation, rapid iteration, and field problem-solving as much as it is about formal engineering process. Lab build-out and tooling decisions are yours to drive – this is engineering from a blank room outwards. Field troubleshooting and customer-facing technical support sit alongside bench and integration work. The role is multi-disciplinary by design. Execution speed matters. We operate with urgency, high ownership, and a strong bias toward action.
Technical Engineer in Swindon employer: Xtend
Xtend UK is an exceptional employer for Technical Engineers, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and hands-on engineering thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, team collaboration, and a mission-first mentality, you will have the opportunity to build and run a state-of-the-art lab while directly impacting customer success. The fast-paced culture encourages experimentation and rapid problem-solving, making it an ideal place for those who are passionate about technology and eager to make a difference in the defence sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Engineer in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Get hands-on! If you're eyeing a Technical Engineer role, show off your practical skills. Bring your soldering iron to the interview if you can, or at least be ready to chat about your latest project. We love seeing candidates who can get stuck in and aren't afraid to get their hands dirty.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with folks in the industry on LinkedIn or attend local meetups. We’re all about building relationships, and knowing someone in the company can give you a leg up. Plus, it’s a great way to learn more about what we do and how you can fit in.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. In our fast-paced environment, we need engineers who can think on their feet. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you might have to troubleshoot a system or come up with a quick solution. Show us you can handle the heat!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Don’t just send your CV out into the void; make sure it lands in our inbox!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Engineer in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Hands-On Experience:Make sure to highlight your practical skills and experiences in your application. We want to see how you've tackled real-world engineering challenges, especially with UAVs or robotics. Share specific examples that demonstrate your bench capabilities and troubleshooting skills.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! Tailor your application to reflect the job description. Use keywords from the listing, like 'multi-disciplinary mindset' and 'customer-facing engineering', to show us you understand what we're looking for.
Be Yourself:We value authenticity! Let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for engineering and problem-solving, and don’t be afraid to show us what makes you unique. We’re looking for team players who are excited about building and innovating.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of getting noticed, apply directly through our website. It’s the quickest way for us to see your application and get you into the process. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Xtend
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to UAVs, robotics, and embedded systems. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with soldering, debugging, and configuration. The interviewers will want to see that you can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled technical challenges in the past. Think about times when you had to troubleshoot hardware or software issues on the spot. This role is all about field problem-solving, so demonstrating your ability to think on your feet will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Since this position involves working closely with engineering teams and customers, be ready to discuss how you collaborate with others. Share experiences where you supported team members or contributed to a project beyond your formal role. A mission-first mentality is key, so show that you're all about teamwork.
✨Be Ready for Rapid Fire Questions
Expect a fast-paced interview that may include technical questions and scenario-based problems. Practice answering questions quickly and clearly, as execution speed matters in this role. Show that you can handle pressure and still provide thoughtful responses.
