Lead Engineer / Design Authority (UAS / UAV / Aerospace)

Location - Bristol / Southwest (Hybrid)

Join a brand-new UK engineering team at the forefront of aerospace innovation. This team are pushing boundaries in unmanned systems with cutting-edge technology, redefining what’s possible in aerospace and autonomous flight.

We are looking for an experienced Lead Engineer / Design Authority to take a strategic role on a high-priority Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) programme. This is a platform-level role, not a narrow technical position. You will face off to UK defence customers, set technical direction, and ensure product design is fully aligned to UK airworthiness and compliance requirements, using a strong evidence-based assurance approach while maintaining agility in delivery.

You will work across UK and international engineering teams, owning technical sign-off and ensuring system integrity across the full product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities Lead multi-disciplinary systems integration (airframe, avionics, software, comms) Act as Design Authority, holding final technical sign-off for design changes Define and drive an airworthiness and compliance strategy aligned to UK frameworks Set the technical roadmap, ma...