UAV Design Engineer

Technology, Data & Digital · Software & Web Development · Software Engineering

In short

Saab UK is seeking a UAV Design Engineer to join their Blue Bear business unit in Bedford. This role involves aircraft conceptual design, sizing, trade studies, and data validation. The successful candidate will contribute to early-stage design and iterative development of UAV concepts, requiring strong analytical and scripting skills, particularly in Python.

Responsibilities

Perform aircraft conceptual sizing and constraint analysis.
Develop parametric air vehicle geometry and Outer Mould Line.
Run trade studies and design-space exploration.
Synthesize flight-test and bench-test data to validate conceptual models.
Select and integrate propulsion system concepts.
Maintain and improve concept-design toolchain and automation.
Capture and communicate design risk.

Requirements

Aircraft sizing, concept-design tooling, and synthesis of flight-test data.
Aircraft/UAV conceptual design and sizing, constraint analysis, weight and mission/energy sizing.
Hands-on experience with conceptual and preliminary design tools (OpenVSP, RCAIDE, AVL, XFLR5, Datcom or equivalent).
Sound applied aerodynamics knowledge.
Experience synthesizing flight logs/telemetry/test data to validate analytical models.
Strong scripting and analysis skills in Python (or similar).
Understanding of the full conceptual design loop (geometry, aerodynamics, weights, propulsion, mission performance, stability & control).
Strong problem-solving skills, sound engineering judgement, and proactive approach.
Ability to work collaboratively.
Stability & control analysis, flight dynamics modelling, and handling-qualities assessment.
Experience with PX4/ArduPilot, SITL/HITL simulation, and processing autopilot flight logs (ULog, MAVLink).
CAD and geometry handling; exporting/meshing surfaces for higher-fidelity aero.
Mid- to high-fidelity aero exposure (panel methods like FlightStream, or RANS CFD).
Experience working in safety-critical, regulated or defence environments.
Ability to gain SC Clearance.

Benefits

30 days annual leave
Workplace pension scheme with 8% company contribution
Private medical insurance
Group income protection scheme
Death in service insurance
Up to 5% share matching scheme
Company enhanced Maternity/Adoption & Paternity leave.

Skills

PythonOpenVSPRCAIDEAVLXFLR5DatcomPX4ArduPilotMAVLinkCADCFDFlightStream

#UAV#Design#Engineer#Aerodynamics#Propulsion#Python#Aircraft Sizing

About Saab

As a leading defence and security company, we offer solutions that range from the depths of the oceans to high in the sky, on land and in cyberspace, to keep people and society safe. Empowered by our 22,000 talented people, we constantly push the boundaries of technology to create a safer, more sustainable and more equitable world. We design, manufacture and maintain advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. We are headquartered in Sweden and have major operations all over the world and are part of the domestic defence capability of several…

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