Drone Systems Engineer

Aquila is building the world's first optical energy network to keep drones flying indefinitely. We're seeking a Drone Systems Engineer to design, integrate, and test next-gen UAVs powered by our Lightway system.

You'll work across mechanical, electronic, and software systems — from rapid prototyping and flight controller tuning to hands-on integration and field testing. You'll lead integration of novel airframes, tune flight dynamics, and develop tools that accelerate testing and decision-making across the team.

We value engineers who are curious, collaborative, and practical. If you thrive on solving tough engineering problems, moving fast from concept to flight, and want to help shape the future of wireless energy and autonomous systems, we'd love to hear from you.

Role Responsibilities

• Work from first principles to influence the design/packaging of a novel power receiver system into a fixed-wing UAV. You will pull from your experience, from simulation results, and from real flight performance data, the information required to inform design decisions in a highly constrained environment.
• Working alongside cross-functional engineers, you will provide key feedback and inform design decisions based on your understanding of the flight dynamcis, stability, and integration challenges of fixed-wing UAV platforms
• Plan and run effective flight tests, compile data from flight results, and present clear and actionable outcomes to the wider engineering team.
• Get your hands dirty with the build/modification of fixed-wing UAV's, integrating custom components into the airframe to support R&D.
• Lead the full bring-up of fixed-wing UAV concepts. Responsible for tuning and optimising the flight dynamics of a variety of novel airframe configurations.
• Develop tools and systems to improve data collection, telemetry, and data analysis of drone flight. Enable the wider engineering team to make rapid and informed decisions from real data.
• Document and communicate technical testing results clearly and effectively, supporting company-wide understanding and transparency.
• Ability to use core foundational mechatronics skills to design, manufacture, and validate components and systems to be integrated into the UAV.
• Ability to rapidly design, build, integrate, and write firmware for prototype electronics to support with UAV related development.
• Draw from sound knowledge of engineering principles to provide successful solutions that challenge engineering boundaries.
• Lead all flight operations, ensuring the best practices for safe operations of fixed wing drones. Act as the main pilot within the team, supporting testing and demonstration operations.

Role Expectations

• Own end-to-end mechatronics integration for fixed-wing UAVs on PX4/ArduPilot ****avionics systems
• Configure and tune flight controllers, perform system identification, and create repeatable tuning/validation procedures.
• Build ground tooling for mission planning, calibration, telemetry dashboards, log ingestion, and automated analysis to speed decision-making.
• Collaborate across mechanical, electronics, and firmware teams to inform design decisions to optimise aerodynamic factors and flight dynamics.
• Effectively manage testing projects to alleviate bottlenecks and accelerate the critical path.
• Effectively document test methodologies and results, enhancing knowledge accessibility across teams.
• Continuously drive forward our core R&D through enabling us to observe the unobservable, quantify the unquantifiable, and thoroughly understand some of the hardest engineering problems.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics, Aerospace, Mechanical, Software, or Electronics) or equivalent hands-on industry experience (2-5 years).
• Hands-on experience with PX4/ArduPilot based flight controllers
• UAV electronics integration: power systems (batteries/BECs/ESCs, servos, harnessing, etc.)
• Basic familiarity with core industry standard electronic communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience with designing, manufacturing, and assembling complex mechatronics systems.
• Proficiency across the full rapid prototyping design cycle (CAD tools, rapid prototyping tools, basic hand/machine tools)
• Proficiency in a high-level programming language (Python preferred)
• Strong documentation skills, including creating clear and informative test plans and reports.

We know great candidates may not meet every listed qualification. If you're excited by our mission and have relevant skills or experience, we encourage you to apply.

Please note:
Employment at Aquila is subject to the successful completion of pre-employment screening, including reference checks and a national police check.