UAV Software Integration Engineer at Bullshark Aero Ltd., Remote, 12 Weeks initial, to £40 per hour

UAV - Software Integration Engineer.

Remote (UK Work Eligibility Required) Occasional travel in England for flight tests and hardware integration.
Contract: Initially ~12 weeks (extension likely)
Rate: £25-£40 per hour, depending on experience.
Time: Flexible/part-time OK (deliverables matter more than hours)

✈ What you’ll do.

We’re looking for a software engineer to support the development of a large (>25kg) unmanned aircraft. You will mostly be working around ArduPilot and Mission Planner. This is an MVP-style role: build, test, iterate, and keep things moving with minimal meetings.

You’ll start with smaller, well-defined tasks while you ramp up, then take on more complex integrations with more independence as you understand the project’s architecture.

✈ Typical tasks.

Depending on your strengths, you’ll get to work on some of the following:
- Extend Mission Planner - Added functionalities for operator workflows.
- MAVLink integration - Implement MAVLink message handling between the companion compute and the flight controller.
- HUDs & Overlays - Develop video overlay features for telemetry & camera feeds.
- Integrate third-party sub-systems - Integrate into Ardupilot-based architecture:

• Gimballed cameras.
• Starlink communications.
• Bespoke Electro-mechanical devices.
• Other onboard devices, such as sensors that need integration support.

✈ Hardware.

You may need to work with:

• Companion computes: Raspberry Pi 5 and/or Jetson Orin/Nano devices.
• Flight controllers: Cube Orange, Matek flight controllers, similar bespoke devices.
• UAV sensors - SDRS, CRPAs, GNSS-denied navigation support, LiDars, ToF, acoustic sensing, etc.
• Cameras and comms - RGB and Thermal Cameras, Vtxs, encoders, etc.

✈ What we’re after.

- Must-haves.

• Solid programming fundamentals and confidence in learning a new codebase.
• Comfortable debugging integration issues, i.e., logs, telemetry, “why doesn’t this talk to that?”
• Willing to learn MAVLink / Mission Planner / ArduPilot workflows .
• Can work independently and provide short, regular progress updates.

- Nice to haves.

• Any ArduPilot / Mission Planner / MAVLink exposure.
• Python and/or C# familiarity (Mission Planner ecosystem).
• Embedded Linux familiarity (Pi/Jetson basics).
• Experience in the Aerospace industry.
• Robotics / RC / UAV hobby experience.

✈ How you’ll work with us.

• In a small team with passionate, like-minded people. Supporting the development of a large (>25kg) UAV platform, currently in active test phase.
• Independently, unless you or another team member requests support.
• Flexible hours; milestone-driven delivery.
• Occasional travel in England for flight tests and hardware integration days.

✈ What you’ll achieve.

By the end of the contract, we expect you to have independently owned at least one subsystem integration, from concept to flight test validation.

✈ Apply

To apply, send your resume and a short email describing relevant experience. You can apply via Indeed, LinkedIn, or email Careers@BullsharkAero.co.uk .

✈ About Bullshark Aero

Bullshark Aero is an aerospace design unit focused on rapid UAV development. We design and build new platforms at pace, to match a growing and ever-changing industry. We often support the development of bespoke, large (>25kg) UAVs, conduct pilot training & run test programmes.

UAVs sit at a great intersection of robotics, embedded software, autonomy, and hands-on engineering. We operate in a space where practical builders (RC pilots, programmers, and small team engineers) can do serious work without the drag of decade long programs.

Our culture is iterative and pragmatic: Test early, learn fast, apply critical thinking, and keep improving. If you like experimenting, building things that function , and seeing them fly, and of course, you don’t mind the occasional day out to participate in flight tests, you’ll fit in well.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Temporary, Fixed term contract, Temp to perm, Freelance, Zero hours contract
Contract length: 4 months

Pay: £35,000.00-£80,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 8 – 50 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Flexitime
• Work from home

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Waterlooville PO8 0BT