Senior R&D Software Engineering Role
Company: SKYLD Security and Defence Ltd
Location: Hybrid – Cyprus or Greece
Employment Type: Full-time
About SKYLD
SKYLD Security and Defence Ltd is a Cyprus-based ICT and innovation company active in European and national research and development programmes across defence, security, civil protection, critical infrastructure and other dual-use technology sectors. Working with partners from industry, academia and public-sector organisations, SKYLD designs, develops and demonstrates advanced operational solutions involving unmanned and autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, command-and-control and ISR applications, software and systems engineering, data-driven technologies and the integration of these technologies into demanding real-world environments.
The Role
We are looking for a Senior Software Developer / Senior R&D Software Engineer with broad and deep software and systems engineering expertise, spanning domains such as UAVs and autonomous systems, AI and data-driven applications, and complex system integration. You will take a leading role within SKYLD’s technical team, owning the design, development, integration, testing and documentation of software across our research, innovation and technology projects – from UAVs and other unmanned platforms to AI, command-and-control and data-driven applications.
The role suits an experienced engineer with a proven track record of delivering production-grade software in demanding technical environments. What matters is breadth and depth of expertise, sound engineering judgement and a demonstrated ability to take technical ownership from concept through to deployment. Hands-on UAV experience is a strong advantage, but equally important is the versatility to work across different platforms, technologies and application domains; a mature programming foundation is expected. The role is not limited to one technology stack: we want someone who can shape technical direction, set engineering standards and mentor more junior colleagues, with responsibility matched to the candidate’s seniority, expertise and leadership potential.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, development and maintenance of software components across SKYLD’s project portfolio – for UAVs and other unmanned or autonomous systems as well as AI, command-and-control and data-driven applications.
- Establish and enforce good software-engineering practices – including clean, maintainable code, code reviews, coding standards and version control – and drive technical quality across the team.
- Architect and integrate software with onboard computers, sensors, payloads, flight-control and ground-based components, as well as with APIs and databases.
- Design and deliver mission-support, telemetry, data-processing, system-monitoring and communication functions, using live or recorded vehicle, navigation and sensor data.
- Oversee the testing, debugging and technical validation of integrated software and hardware systems.
- Lead R&D prototypes and demonstrators, including selected AI, machine-learning, computer-vision, image-processing and large-language-model activities.
- Mentor junior developers, author technical documentation and internal reports, and lead integration activities, trials and demonstrations with engineers and project partners.
Essential Requirements
Candidates should hold a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer or Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Automation and Control, or another relevant technical discipline, together with substantial professional software-development experience. Equivalent demonstrated technical capability will also be considered.
- Strong command of at least one relevant programming language, preferably Python, C or C++, backed by several years of professional development experience.
- Deep understanding of core software-development practices, including software architecture, design patterns, testing, debugging and version control.
- Solid understanding of complex, multi-component system architectures, including UAV or unmanned-system elements such as sensors, onboard computing, flight-control and ground-control systems, and communication links.
- Additional technical experience in UAV / robotics / embedded systems environments, including hands-on experience with at least several of the following: open-source flight-controller or autopilot ecosystems such as ArduPilot or PX4; robotics and simulation environments such as ROS/ROS 2, Gazebo, Isaac Sim / Isaac Lab or Webots; Linux-based operating systems, preferably Ubuntu; virtualization and containerization tools such as Docker and VirtualBox; and embedded or edge-computing platforms such as Raspberry Pi, Raspberry Pi AI HAT, NVIDIA Jetson, Arduino, ESP or similar microcontroller-based platforms.
- Proven ability to analyse complex problems, define technical interfaces and translate requirements into robust software and integration solutions.
- Good written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate clearly, collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team, work responsibly on assigned tasks and contribute positively to shared project objectives.
- The ideal candidate should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and efficiently within a team-oriented environment. Strong prompting skills and a high level of proficiency in working with different Large Language Model (LLM) platforms are also considered particularly important, including the ability to use these tools effectively for professional and task-oriented purposes.
Desirable Experience
- Hands-on experience delivering UAV, robotics or autonomous-system projects.
- Proven experience developing software that interacts with sensors, embedded devices or other physical systems – preferably in Linux – or that processes telemetry, navigation, image, video or other sensor data.
- Practical experience with artificial intelligence, machine learning or large-language-model development and training.
- Contribution to, or technical leadership within, research or technology-development projects, such as Horizon Europe or European Defence Fund programmes.
Candidates are not expected to meet every desirable criterion: we are primarily looking for an accomplished, versatile senior developer with broad and deep technical expertise and the ability to lead R&D software engineering work across domains with confidence.
What SKYLD Offers
- A full-time position with a hybrid working model in Cyprus or Greece.
- A leading technical role in UAV, autonomous-system, AI and defence-technology projects across European and national R&D programmes, including prototypes, integration trials and demonstrations.
- The opportunity to shape technical direction, mentor others and take on significant responsibility within a growing company.
- Competitive remuneration based on qualifications and experience, within a demanding but supportive working environment.
How to Apply
Send your CV and a short cover letter to rbATskyld.com.cy. Where available, include links or brief information about relevant professional projects, software repositories, publications or UAV-related work.
Email subject: Application – Senior Software Developer – UAV & Autonomous Systems
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Applicants’ personal data will be processed solely for recruitment purposes and in accordance with applicable data-protection legislation.
