R&D Development Engineer
Requirements
- Technical education or development experience — electronics, circuit design, programming
- Experience programming microcontrollers (Arduino, STM32 or similar)
- Hands-on soldering and work with electronic circuits
- Ability to work with measuring and diagnostic equipment
- Ability to solve non-standard problems when no ready-made solution exists
- Medical fitness for service — determined by the military medical board (VLK)
Responsibilities
- Programming and flashing microcontrollers
- Development, adaptation and support of technical solutions for the unit's needs
- Soldering and assembling electronic circuits, debugging devices
- Refining existing developments based on feedback from those who use them
- Technical support and configuration of the systems created, troubleshooting faults
- Maintaining technical documentation for your own developments
Terms
- Mobilisation until the end of martial law, or contract service
- Basic and specialist training as required
- Pay: base pay of UAH 21,000 + an additional bonus of UAH 30,000 — approximately UAH 51,000 – 55,000 per month in total, depending on the position and conditions of service
- Full social package
- Full provision of protective equipment and military property
- Opportunity to obtain combatant status (UBD)
Vacancy: R&D Development Engineer
Much of what is needed at the front cannot be bought. Or it can, but so expensively and slowly that there is no time to wait. So the brigade makes its own technical solutions — and this is exactly where the R&D Development Engineer works.
An R&D Development Engineer creates and refines the brigade's own technical solutions: programs microcontrollers, writes firmware, builds and debugs electronics for real combat tasks.
This position is for an engineer who wants to see what they have built working as soon as next week — not after two years of approvals.
Who can become an R&D Development Engineer
No military experience is required. Engineering experience is.
What really matters:
- Technical education or development experience: electronics, circuit design, programming
- Experience programming microcontrollers — Arduino, STM32 or similar
- Hands-on soldering and work with electronic circuits
- Ability to work with measuring and diagnostic equipment
- Ability to solve non-standard problems when no ready-made solution exists
- Medical fitness for service — determined by the military medical board (VLK)
How the R&D Development Engineer differs from other IT positions: here you work with hardware, not with networks and websites. The closest in spirit are the UGV repair technician and the UAV Maintenance Technician, not the system administrator.
What an R&D Development Engineer does in the 141st SMB
In addition to what is described in the requirements above:
- Programming and flashing microcontrollers
- Development, adaptation and support of technical solutions for the unit's needs
- Soldering and assembling electronic circuits, debugging devices
- Refining existing developments based on feedback from those who use them
- Technical support and configuration of the systems created, troubleshooting faults
- Maintaining technical documentation for your own developments
How you will be trained
The path is the same for everyone: 51 days of basic military training, then the brigade adaptation course — 14–15 days with instructors who have combat experience.
After that — work in the R&D branch alongside those who have already produced working devices. Much of the knowledge here is built up on the spot: this is a new field, and what an engineer works out on their own often becomes the general rule.
Tactical medicine is drilled until it becomes automatic. Our instructors' principle is short: the priority is to survive.
What you will be provided with
You will be fully kitted out: gear, protective equipment, tools and equipment for the job.
You will not be on your own. R&D is a team: engineers and technicians, alongside those who use the developments and give first-hand feedback.
What the terms include:
- Pay: base pay of UAH 21,000 + an additional bonus of UAH 30,000 — approximately UAH 51,000 – 55,000 per month in total, depending on the position and conditions of service
- Full provision of gear, protective equipment and military property
- The social package provided for service members
- Opportunity to obtain combatant status (UBD)
Where you can grow
- Senior engineer, head of the development branch
- Related technical areas: UGV repair technician, UAV Maintenance Technician
- Technical training instructor
- Professionally — a portfolio of devices that genuinely work at the front
In the 141st, competence and results count — not length of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Logic and process: we answer the key questions about enlistment, training and status.
Apply for this positionIs this programming or hardware work?
+Both. Microcontrollers, firmware, a soldering iron, debugging — the full cycle from circuit diagram to working device.
Do I need military experience?
+No. You need engineering experience — electronics, circuit design, microcontroller programming.
What exactly will I be developing?
+Technical solutions for the real needs of units. We do not publicly disclose specific devices or their specifications.
I have no military experience. Can I still join you?
+Yes. Most of our best specialists were civilians yesterday. What matters to us is your motivation. We’ll match a role to your skills: if you understand machinery — you’ll go to the mechanics; if you know electronics — to UAVs or communications. Everything military — we’ll teach you.
How long does training take before deployment to the unit?
+Every recruit completes Basic General Military Training (BGMT) at a training center. After that — additional specialized training depending on the chosen role. We send only the prepared to the line of contact — that is our core principle.
What happens after I fill out the form?
+Your application goes to the recruiting center. Within 24 hours our specialist will call — it’s not an interrogation, just an introduction and answers to your questions. If we’re a match, the brigade issues an official request and our liaison helps you get through the TRC and MMB as fast as possible.
Can I transfer to the 141st SMB from another unit?
+Yes, we consider transfers — including via the Army+ app. Fill out the form and select the status “Active service member” — a recruiter will advise on your real chances and the steps involved.
I am AWOL (SZCh). Can I join?
+The law allows a return to service. If you’re motivated to fight in a sound team — fill out the form and state your status honestly. Our specialists will advise you individually on legal ways to return. Confidentially.
Do you provide uniform and equipment?
+Yes. The brigade fully provides basic kit, body armor, helmets and weapons. Plus — thanks to a strong volunteer network, we have additional technological support: drones, EW, transport.
Similar positions
Didn’t find your role?
The brigade has more specialities than the site describes, and some roles are not written up yet. If yours is missing, fill in the form and tell us which position you are looking for. A recruiter will check what is open right now and answer straight.
Tell us which role you wantWhat happens after you apply
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01
A call within 24 hours
Your application goes to the recruiting centre and a specialist calls within a day. It is not an interrogation — just an introduction and answers to your questions.
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02
Interview and choosing a role
Together we look at what you can do and where it is most useful. If we are a match, the brigade issues an official request for your transfer.
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03
Enlistment office and medical board — with support
Our liaison helps you get through the enlistment office and the military medical board as fast as possible. You do not navigate the queues alone.
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04
Training first, then the unit
Basic general military training takes 51 days, followed by the brigade’s 14–15 day adaptation course with instructors who have combat experience. We send only prepared soldiers to the front line.