Software Engineer - Drones

Salary: £30,000 - 50,000 per year

Requirements

• Clear communication skills, able to explain technical reasoning to both technical and non-technical colleagues
• Proficient with at least one programming language (our primary stack is Dart/Flutter, with regular use of C++ and Python)
• Familiarity with Git
• Willingness to work in UK Defence
• Eligible for UK SC Clearance – must meet baseline eligibility criteria, including a minimum of 5 years UK residency
• Ability to communicate technical ideas to a variety of stakeholders
• Willingness and passion to learn
• Reliability and a strong work ethic
• Experience in aerospace, defence or similarly regulated environment (nice to have)
• Exposure to embedded systems or single-board computers (nice to have)
• Familiarity with any of Linux, Android and Windows (nice to have)
• Experience with IP and/or RF based communication (nice to have)
• Understanding of drone systems, flight controllers, or autopilot software (e.g. ArduPilot, MAVLink) (nice to have)
• Interest in working with physical hardware (nice to have)

Responsibilities

• Planning and managing the delivery of multiple concurrent projects and programmes across engineering, software, manufacturing, and operations
• Coordinating across technical teams to align timelines, dependencies, and resource allocation
• Tracking progress, risks, and blockers across workstreams and ensuring visibility to leadership and customers
• Interpreting customer requirements and translating them into clear project plans with defined milestones and deliverables
• Managing stakeholder communication at all levels — from day-to-day technical coordination through to formal programme reporting
• Supporting procurement, supplier coordination, and third-party delivery where projects require external input
• Balancing competing priorities across the portfolio, escalating trade-offs and resource constraints early
• Identifying and embedding repeatable project management practices as the business scales

Technologies

• Android
• Dart
• Embedded
• Flutter
• Git
• Hardware
• Linux
• Python
• Security
• Windows
• C++
• Support

More

Aether Aerospace is a South Wales-based drone development and service delivery company operating primarily in the defence and security sectors. We design, build, test, and operate uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for demanding customers who need reliable capability in the field. Our in-house engineering team works rapidly to develop modular solutions under live MoD contracts. We offer a salary between £30,000 to £50,000, a Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), 26 days annual leave plus UK bank holidays, employer pension contribution, on-site fitness facilities, and an opportunity to gain drone pilot qualifications. We encourage a flexible but collaborative work environment.

last updated 17 week of 2026