Autonomous Aircraft Systems Specialist – The Schools' Aerospace Careers Programme

What Does This Career Involve?

Autonomous Aircraft Systems Specialists develop the technologies that allow drones, delivery aircraft, and even passenger planes to operate with varying levels of autonomy. They work on navigation systems, AI-based decision-making, sensor integration, and fail-safe communication networks. Their role is to ensure autonomous flight is safe, efficient, and ready for real-world airspace.

Why Is This the Future?

As automation spreads across industries, aviation is preparing for a major shift. Cargo drones, pilot-assist systems, and even fully autonomous air taxis are already in development. This role is central to creating the software and systems that will redefine the future of both commercial and military aviation.

Related Existing Careers

Avionics Engineer

Avionics Engineers specialise in the electronic systems used in aircraft, from navigation to flight control. Their expertise is foundational to developing autonomous systems.

Drone Systems Developer

Focused on uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), these developers build platforms that operate in complex airspaces — skills directly transferable to scaled-up autonomous aircraft.

Software Engineer (Autonomous Systems)

These engineers write and refine the algorithms that enable real-time decision-making, object avoidance, and route optimisation in autonomous platforms.