Hardware Engineer

About the Role

We’re looking for a hands-on engineer to take ownership of incoming drones from OEM partners — confirm they’re fit to fly, resolve or escalate issues, and hand them over to pilots in a ready and reliable state.

This role sits between OEM supply, engineering, testing and pilot operations. You’ll be the person who makes sure aircraft arriving into Occam aren’t just present, but actually usable. When it’s done well, pilots don’t lose time on issues that should have been caught earlier, engineering gets clear feedback on recurring defects, and OEM quality improves.

This is a hands-on engineering role in a fast-moving defence-tech environment. It takes strong technical judgement, attention to detail, practical problem-solving and the confidence to say when something isn’t ready.

What you’ll own

Incoming drone acceptance

• Run structured acceptance checks on UAS platforms arriving from OEMs
• Inspect airframes, wiring, connectors, batteries, payload interfaces and control systems for defects, missing parts or poor build quality
• Confirm each aircraft matches the required build standard, configuration and documentation
• Record acceptance status clearly before it moves to the next stage

Integration and configuration

• Prepare drones for use with Occam’s systems, software and procedures
• Carry out configuration, calibration and setup before test or handover
• Apply approved software, firmware and configuration updates with engineering
• Keep every change recorded and traceable

Flight readiness and functional testing

• Run pre-flight functional checks to confirm the aircraft can fly safely and reliably
• Support ground testing, systems checks and controlled test activities
• Work with pilots and test teams to confirm readiness before handover
• Maintain a clear pass / fail / hold status for each drone

Defect management and OEM feedback

• Log quality issues found during inspection, integration, testing or handover
• Capture defects clearly — photos, notes, serial numbers, evidence
• Keep the OEM quality tracker updated so recurring problems get spotted and escalated
• Work with engineering and supplier teams on root causes, and track fixes to closure

Handover to pilots

• Hand drones over in a clear, consistent, ready-to-use state
• Confirm the pilot has the correct aircraft, equipment, documentation and known-status info
• Brief pilots on relevant configuration notes, limitations or recent fixes
• Record every handover — who took the aircraft and when

Process and workspace discipline

• Keep accurate records of status, defects, fixes, test outcomes and handovers
• Keep the Kanban / tracking board current and drones stored by status
• Maintain labelling, tagging and inventory control
• Help improve the acceptance process as volumes grow

Required experience

• Hands-on experience with drones, UAVs, UAS platforms, robotics, electronics or aviation systems
• Strong practical skills: inspection, troubleshooting, configuration and repair
• Experience with structured checks, acceptance testing or quality control
• Good grasp of flight readiness, equipment safety and technical handover
• Ability to diagnose issues across hardware, software, configuration and build quality
• Strong attention to detail and accurate record-keeping
• Comfortable working with pilots, engineers, operations teams and suppliers
• Able to work in a fast-moving, sensitive, high-pressure environment
• Based in and eligible to work in Ukraine; able to travel within Ukraine when required

Desirable experience

• Military drones, FPV systems, fixed-wing or autonomous aerial platforms
• OEMs, supplier quality processes or incoming-goods inspection
• Flight testing, field trials or operational deployments
• Airframes, batteries, radio systems, ground control and onboard electronics
• Configuration management, serial tracking and defect reporting
• Defence, aerospace, robotics or mission-critical hardware
• Ukrainian language skills and strong English

Clearance and location

• Must be based in and eligible to work in Ukraine, and able to travel within the country
• Comfortable in a highly confidential defence-tech environment
• Eligible to obtain and maintain relevant security clearance where required (existing defence/government/military clearance is a plus)