About Company
Are you ready to redefine aerial technology? Career.zycto is at the forefront of pioneering innovative drone solutions, transforming industries from logistics to environmental monitoring. We’re a dynamic firm known for fostering creativity and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in autonomous systems. For a Drone Software Engineer, this means direct involvement in shaping future-forward projects, working with advanced robotics, AI, and real-time data processing. Join our collaborative team where your expertise will directly impact the development of next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles and intelligent flight systems. We value ingenuity and provide the tools and environment for groundbreaking work.
Job Description
Career.zycto is actively seeking a highly skilled and passionate Drone Software Engineer to join our innovative team in Cotham, Bristol. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the cutting-edge development of autonomous aerial systems, playing a pivotal role in the design, implementation, and testing of software that powers our next-generation drones. You will be instrumental in developing robust and reliable flight control systems, navigation algorithms, sensor integration, and data processing pipelines. We operate at the intersection of robotics, AI, and aerospace, pushing the boundaries of what unmanned aerial vehicles can achieve across various critical applications.
As a Drone Software Engineer, you will work within a dynamic, cross-functional team that thrives on technical challenges and innovation. Your expertise will be crucial in every stage of the software development lifecycle, from conceptualisation and requirements gathering to deployment and maintenance. This hybrid role offers the flexibility of working both from our modern Cotham office, where you’ll have access to our drone testing facilities and collaborate directly with hardware engineers, and remotely, allowing for focused development time. We are looking for an individual who is not only proficient in embedded software development but also possesses a deep understanding of drone architecture, real-time operating systems, and communication protocols. If you are driven by the prospect of seeing your code take flight and make a tangible impact on advanced technological solutions, we encourage you to apply. We value proactive problem-solvers who are eager to learn, adapt, and contribute to a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, test, and deploy flight control software and algorithms for autonomous drones.
- Implement and optimise embedded software for microcontrollers and single-board computers within drone systems.
- Integrate various sensors (IMUs, GPS, LiDAR, cameras) and ensure robust data acquisition and processing.
- Develop and maintain communication protocols for drone-to-ground station and inter-drone communication.
- Perform real-time data analysis and contribute to the development of perception and navigation systems.
- Collaborate closely with hardware engineers, electrical engineers, and other software teams to ensure seamless system integration.
- Conduct rigorous unit, integration, and flight testing, including debugging and performance tuning.
- Contribute to system architecture discussions and propose innovative solutions for complex challenges.
- Document software designs, code, and test procedures to maintain high standards of quality and maintainability.
- Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in drone technology and software engineering.
Required Skills
- Proficiency in C++ and Python for embedded systems development.
- Strong understanding of real-time operating systems (RTOS) and Linux environments.
- Experience with drone flight controllers (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot) and associated frameworks.
- Solid knowledge of communication protocols (e.g., MAVLink, ROS, UART, SPI, I2C).
- Experience with sensor integration (IMU, GPS, LiDAR, optical flow) and data fusion techniques.
- Familiarity with version control systems (Git) and collaborative development workflows.
- Demonstrated ability to debug complex embedded software and hardware interactions.
- Understanding of control theory and navigation algorithms for autonomous systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree or PhD in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Experience with computer vision or machine learning applied to drone applications.
- Knowledge of cybersecurity principles as applied to autonomous systems.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) for data processing and fleet management.
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and simulation environments.
- Previous experience in a regulated industry (e.g., aerospace, defense) with safety-critical software.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Generous paid time off and public holidays.
- Company pension scheme with employer contributions.
- Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
- Access to cutting-edge technology and drone testing facilities.
- Hybrid work model for improved work-life balance.
- Collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Regular team social events and activities.
How to Apply
Ready to take your career to new heights? We invite enthusiastic and qualified candidates to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please click on the application link below to submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are passionate about drone technology. We look forward to reviewing your application!
