Head of UAV Systems | Shape the Future of Unmanned Flight
Imagine being the technical backbone behind next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles owning the system end-to-end and setting the direction that turns bold aerospace concepts into flight-ready reality.
We're looking for a Head of UAV Systems to act as the technical authority and system owner across full UAV development programs from early concept and requirements definition through detailed design, prototyping, integration, testing, and flight qualification.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in complex aerospace environments and is driven by results, quality, and delivery.
The Opportunity
Join a fast-scaling aerospace innovator revolutionising the defense industry with cutting-edge UAV technologies. Working alongside global government and defense partners, you'll help deliver high-performance, mission-critical systems that redefine speed, precision, and cost-effectiveness in modern operations.
What You'll Be Responsible For
Technical Leadership & System Ownership
Act as system architect and technical authority for UAV programs
Own system-level decisions, trade-offs, and architecture coherence
Ensure alignment across all subsystems and interfaces
Requirements & Vehicle Design
Lead system and subsystem requirements definition
Translate mission and regulatory needs into verifiable technical requirements
Guide aerodynamic design, flight performance, structural sizing, and materials selection
Optimise performance, weight, cost, reliability, and manufacturability
Hands-on Engineering & Prototyping
Stay directly involved in prototype manufacturing and assembly
Lead metallic and composite prototype builds
Apply strong Design for Manufacturing & Assembly principles
Integrate production feedback into evolving designs
Integration, Testing & Flight Campaigns
Oversee ground and flight test planning
Participate in and support flight campaigns
Lead anomaly investigations and root cause analysis
Drive rapid technical feedback loops
Program Execution
Ensure on-time, high-quality technical delivery
Identify and mitigate risks early
Support realistic planning and technical estimation
Team Leadership
Lead and mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams
Establish engineering standards and best practices
Collaborate closely with program, manufacturing, and operations teams
What You'll Bring
10+ years in technical leadership within UAV or aerospace programs
Experience as Technical Lead, Chief Engineer, System Engineer, or Vehicle Architect
Full lifecycle UAV development experience: design ? build ? test ? fly
Deep expertise in:
System requirements management
UAV/aircraft design
Aerodynamics & flight mechanics
Mechanical design & structural analysis
System architecture
Avionics, propulsion, payload & control integration
Ground & flight testing
Strong manufacturing-driven design mindset
Experience in high-tech, fast-paced, delivery-focused environments
If you're ready to take full technical ownership of advanced UAV systems and lead engineering teams toward flight-ready excellence, this is your opportunity to define the future of unmanned aerospace.