Senior Software Engineer

About the Job

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join Volant Autonomy and help deliver the software systems enabling the next generation of autonomous and uncrewed aviation. Working from our Bath office, you'll help deploy and integrate our technology into real-world operational environments across the UK and internationally.

Your role will be to help build and deploy Volant’s airspace management and autonomy systems, enabling first-of-their-kind real-world uncrewed operations across the UK and internationally.

Working across the full software lifecycle, you'll have significant influence over technical decisions, architecture and delivery approaches. You'll work alongside people who care deeply about what they're building in an environment where ideas are shared openly and valued.

You'll work with modern software engineering and DevOps practices that enable a pace of delivery uncommon in highly regulated industries. Our technology stack centres on Python and TypeScript, with systems deployed to on-premises clusters and AWS using Pulumi Infrastructure as Code and GitHub Actions-based CI/CD pipelines.

If you want to develop world-first technology and have a genuine say in how it happens, you'll fit right in at Volant.

About Volant Autonomy

We’re a growing startup in the heart of Bath, building next-generation autonomy technologies that will transform the future of aviation. Our work is opening new capabilities for uncrewed flight as they move from sci-fi to reality.

We're a highly technical company of around 20 people, including 17 engineers and data scientists. Our flat structure allows decisions to be made quickly and gives every engineer the opportunity to influence both our technical direction and business.

We’re already collaborating with major partners including international companies, national air navigation service providers and the defence industry, giving us the reach and resources to make a real impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of Volant’s core technologies
• Ensure the successful integration of Volant Autonomy technology with customers and project partners
• Attend client sites to carry out integration work (~2 days per month)
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines that automate integration and testing
• Debug and resolve technical issues
• Run analytics on software logs
• Work with the team to identify dependencies early, manage deadlines and prioritise workload

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Deep knowledge of Python and software engineering best practices
• Track record of software integration across multiple projects
• Experience of both on-prem and cloud deployments (preferably AWS)
• Familiarity with APIs, communication protocols and data formats
• Ability to design and implement integration and system testing
• Proven ability to solve complex technical problems in high assurance or secure environments
• Experience of implementing modern software tooling and knowledge of best practices in software architecture and design
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills
• Ability and willingness to mentor junior team members

Desirable

• Background or domain knowledge in UAVs, aerospace systems and associated operational environments
• Solid understanding of relevant regulations and guidance
• Experience using docker compose, Kubernetes or equivalent

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: £50,000 - £70,000, depending on experience
• A personal development programme with dedicated support
• Hybrid working: on-site in Bath (Mon–Wed) with optional remote (Thu–Fri)
• 25 days paid holiday + public holidays with an additional day per year of service (up to 4 days)
• Funding for relevant training, courses, and industry conferences
• A collaborative, inclusive team environment with real autonomy and influence
• A friendly, collaborative company that genuinely enjoys working together.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Volant Autonomy, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace. We base hiring and promotion decisions solely on merit and actively work to identify and reduce bias throughout our recruitment and career development processes.

Application Process

Shortlisted candidates will first take part in an informal conversation with a team member, followed by an on-site interview day where you’ll get to meet the rest of the team.

Please be aware that this role may be subject to both security and export control restrictions. All applicants must therefore be eligible for National Security Vetting approvals. Typically applications must have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £50,000.00-£70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Flexitime
• Sick pay
• Optional remote working (Thu + Fri)
• Schedule
• Monday to Friday (core hours 10am to 4pm)

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bath: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location:

• Hybrid remote in Bath. A reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work . Our office is in central Bath with no on-site parking. There are numerous public transport options, including 3 park and ride locations

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £50,000.00-£70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Flexitime
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bath BA1 1BP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Will you be able to reliably commute or relocate to Bath BA1 1BP for this job?

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bath BA1 1BP