Senior Mission Systems SW Engineer

About the Role

Thunderstrike Aviation is looking for a Senior Mission Systems Software Engineer to take technical ownership of the Ground Control Station (GCS) and associated Command & Control (C2) systems for mission-critical unmanned platforms.

You will own the ground segment architecture and work across software, IT infrastructure, communications, and operator interfaces. This is a broad, hands-on role combining system architecture, software engineering, and system integration in close collaboration with flight control, payload, and communications teams.

We are in a scale-up phase. Responsibilities are evolving, systems are expanding, and this role will have significant influence on how the platform develops. You will operate in a high-trust environment with real technical authority.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the overall GCS architecture, including workstations, displays, operator HMI, data storage, power systems, and rack layout.
• Architect and implement the full GCS software stack, including containerised applications, backend services, APIs, and operator workflows.
• Integrate GCS software with autopilot and mission systems (e.g. Embention Veronte API or equivalent platforms).
• Design and implement operator interfaces for mission control, vehicle control, payload control, and warnings/cautions/alerts.
• Configure and maintain backend databases for mission data, logs, and configuration management.
• Ensure reliable inter-process communication and container orchestration.
• Lead technical supplier engagement, procurement activities, and acceptance testing.
• Architect and integrate command & control and payload data links, including encryption, key management, frequency planning, antenna selection, and RF monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with EMI/EMC, grounding, rack integration, and power-safety requirements.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation including architecture descriptions, rack layouts, RF link budgets, SOPs, and maintenance documentation.
• Implement and maintain cybersecurity measures within the ground segment.
• Ensure compliance with relevant STANAG and human-machine interaction requirements.

Qualifications

• Relevant technical background within software, systems, electrical, or IT engineering.
• 5–10+ years of experience working with mission systems, ground control stations, or complex integrated technical systems.
• Experience from UAV, defense, space, aerospace, or other safety-critical environments is highly valued.
• Strong software development skills in Python, C++, and/or C#.
• Experience with REST API integration.
• Solid experience with containerisation (Docker; Kubernetes is an advantage).
• Experience with backend databases (SQL).
• Knowledge of networking, encryption, and secure communications.
• Understanding of RF communications, link budgeting, and antenna systems.
• Experience with or strong understanding of HMI/UI development for operator environments.
• Ability to work autonomously in a high-trust engineering environment.
• Strong verbal and written English communication skills.
• Willingness to travel when required.

Personal Competencies

• Takes full end-to-end technical ownership and works in a structured, solution-driven manner.
• Comfortable operating at the intersection of software, IT infrastructure, and hardware.
• Able to translate complex requirements into robust, operational systems.
• Thrives in cross-disciplinary, engineering-driven scale-up environments.
• Proactive, self-directing, and comfortable defining tasks from high-level goals.

Why Join Thunderstrike Aviation?

• A key technical role in the development of mission-critical aerospace systems.
• Significant influence on architecture and technical decisions.
• High level of trust and technical authority.
• Opportunity to shape and scale next-generation UAV platforms.
• Work in a highly specialised engineering environment at the forefront of unmanned aviation technology.

Apply here: Senior Mission Systems SW Engineer | Thunderstrike Aviation | LinkedIn