Trainee Counter-Drone Systems Engineer - Sopra Steria

This opportunity includes a significant overseas training commitment. Successful candidates must be willing and able to live and work near Le Plessis-Robinson, in the Paris area, for a total of approximately six months during their first year of employment.

Location: Hemel Hempstead, with extended training periods in France Start date: Candidates must be available to start by the end of September 2026 Travel pattern: Six months in France and six months in the UK during the first year, typically structured as three months in France, three months in the UK, followed by the same rotation again

Sopra Steria is building a brand-new Counter-Uncrewed Air Systems capability in the UK, supporting the protection of people, critical infrastructure and major events from evolving drone threats.

We are looking for motivated, practical and technically curious individuals who want to begin or develop a career within counter-drone technology, systems integration and engineering.

This is an entry-level development opportunity, so we are not necessarily looking for candidates with extensive commercial experience. You may have gained relevant knowledge through education, personal projects, military experience, gaming, electronics, building computers, drones, radio-controlled vehicles or an interest in networks, Linux and Windows systems.

You will receive extensive hands-on training from experienced engineering colleagues in France, learning how to configure, test, demonstrate and support Sopra Steria’s BOREADES counter-drone system. BOREADES brings together technologies including radar, radio frequency sensors, cameras, artificial intelligence and command-and-control software to detect, track and respond to drone threats.

What you will be doing:

• Learn to configure, operate and test the BOREADES counter-drone system across Windows, Linux, network, sensor and hardware environments.
• Prepare equipment and system configurations for customer demonstrations, evaluations, trials and industry events.
• Support the installation, integration and testing of sensors, communications equipment and other system components.
• Undertake structured fault-finding, capture technical evidence and escalate complex issues to engineering colleagues in France.
• Produce clear technical documentation, including configuration notes, test results, demonstration scripts and supporting information for bids.
• Work closely with UK and French engineering teams to ensure systems are safe, reliable and ready for customer use.

What you will bring:

• A degree, qualification or equivalent practical experience in engineering, IT, electronics, computing, networking or another relevant technical subject.
• A practical interest in technology, which may include networks, Linux, Windows, electronics, drones, model vehicles, radio-controlled equipment, gaming or building computers.