Communications & EW Resilience Engineer

Role Overview

Windracers develops and operates large autonomous fixed-wing UAVs designed for logistics, humanitarian, and defence applications. Our aircraft combine long-range capability with advanced autonomy to operate efficiently, reliably, and safely.

As we scale our programmes and operate in increasingly contested environments, we are seeking a Communications & EW Resilience Engineer to take ownership of end-to-end command, control, and navigation resilience across our platforms.

Key Responsibilities Navigation Resilience

• Research, specify and assist with integration of GNSS receivers, antennas, and supporting software
• Assess and mitigate vulnerability to GNSS jamming and spoofing
• Support complementary navigation approaches (e.g. inertial, vision-based, terrain-aided
• Gracefully handle navigation integrity failure ensuring appropriate autonomous behaviour and operator-in-the-loop reporting/decision making

Communications Resilience (Air & Ground)

• End-to-end ownership of the command-and-control chain from operator equipment to aircraft
• Multiple, dissimilar communications paths (LOS RF, SATCOM, 4G etc.) with defined priorities
• Frequency agility and configuration management to reduce susceptibility to jamming
• Antenna diversity and placement optimised for resilience, not just nominal performance
• Robust ground station and RC transmitter configuration to avoid operator-induced failure modes

Testing, Integration & Operations

• Plan and execute laboratory, ground and flight testing covering the full communications chain
• Lead EW-representative testing, including controlled jamming and interference
• Support investigation of communications or navigation-related incidents

Threat Awareness

• Maintain awareness of the electronic warfare threat picture affecting UAS operations in Ukraine and similar contested environments
• Track observed tactics, techniques, and effects relating to jamming, spoofing and RF denial
• Willingness to travel to contested regions to gather firsthand technical insight or provide engineering support (desirable not essential)

Candidate Profile Experience & Education

• 2:1 or higher in a STEM discipline
• Experience delivering communications or EW-resilient systems end to end
• Background in aerospace, UAVs, defence, telecoms, or high-reliability systems

Technical Skills

• Strong grounding in RF communications and system integration
• Hands-on experience with radios, antennas, GNSS and networking equipment
• Experience integrating into flight control systems
• Ability to work in C/C++, Python, or similar environments

Mindset & Attributes

• Delivery-focused, with a bias toward implementation over analysis
• Comfortable owning problems across air, ground, and software domains
• Pragmatic understanding of EW realities
• Strong communication and documentation skills
• Willingness to work in the defence sector and undergo security checks as required

Employment Details

• Contract Type: Full-time, permanent
• Location: Primarily on-site in Fareham (PO15 5TX), with hybrid working supported
• Department: Engineering