# Seeing Systems Unveils the Reaver Drone Carrier and Expands Engineering in London **Author:** Zero G Talent **Published:** 2026-11-11 **Category:** engineering **Tags:** yc-hiring, defense, drones, robotics, computer vision, rust, software engineering [Read on Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com/blog/seeing-systems-unveils-the-reaver-drone-carrier-and-expands-engineering-in-london) --- London defense hardware startup [Seeing Systems](https://zerogtalent.com/space-companies/seeing-systems) has unveiled an autonomous drone-carrier vessel designed to launch and recover up to 100 strike drones at sea, stepping directly into the maritime domain while building out its core engineering teams. At the Apex Europe conference in London, co-founder and chief technology officer [Matthew Le Maitre](https://zerogtalent.com/people/matthew-le-maitre) introduced the Reaver 101, an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with a 2,000-nautical-mile operational range. The platform integrates a unified command-and-control layer across both naval and aerial assets, deploying modular payloads for littoral strike, anti-surface warfare, reconnaissance, and offshore air defense using interceptors against one-way attack drones. As reported by the [UK Defence Journal](https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/seeing-systems-unveils-reaver-drone-carrier/), the vessel features an internal automated deployment and retrieval system that launches drones while under way and recovers them for reuse, running on live production lines in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2025 and backed by Y Combinator (W26), Toloka.vc, and Pioneer Fund with $500,000 in funding, the two-person company aims to break traditional 1:1 drone operator ratios through autonomous swarm architectures and modular hardware. ## Modular Strike Drones and Agentic Command Seeing Systems originally set out to develop autonomous search-and-rescue systems, but pivoted to defense after the death of co-founder [Alexander Le Maitre](https://zerogtalent.com/people/alexander-le-maitre)'s colleague in Ukraine, as told to [Tectonic Defense](https://www.tectonicdefense.com/meet-seeing-systems-y-combinators-newest-drone-startup/). The team switched focus toward low-cost, modular strike platforms such as the Banshee drone, built around core airframes paired with swappable sensors, comms links, and warheads. Rather than putting heavy computation solely on the edge, Seeing Systems pushes significant processing to the controller. An in-house agentic AI architecture interprets mission data to assist with flight paths and point-of-interest identification using natural human language interfaces. The startup works with a US manufacturer to produce its next-generation one-way effector drone and partners with UK manufacturing lines capable of turning out over 5,000 units monthly. Seeing Systems has already worked with military customers including the UK Commando Royal Marines, Estonian Military, and Luxembourg Army, while testing prototypes in Ukraine. The company's technical stack spans Python, Rust, OCaml, ROS, AirSim, World Models, MAVLink, and SLAM. ## The Founders The startup was founded by brothers [Alexander Le Maitre](https://zerogtalent.com/people/alexander-le-maitre) and [Matthew Le Maitre](https://zerogtalent.com/people/matthew-le-maitre). Alexander serves as CEO. Based in the UK and self-taught in embedded electronics and PCB layout, he previously designed Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training hardware and diagnostic systems for military operators alongside other national security hardware initiatives. Matthew serves as CTO. A Cambridge computer science graduate and former software engineer at quantitative trading firm Jane Street, Matthew oversees software systems, autonomy, and naval integration architecture. His engineering background guides the company's choice of high-assurance languages like OCaml and Rust alongside robotics frameworks. ## Engineering Roles in London To build out its drone architecture and field-test its hardware, Seeing Systems is hiring on-site engineering interns in the United Kingdom across software and electrical disciplines. The team is looking for a [Software Engineering Intern](https://zerogtalent.com/space-jobs/seeing-systems/software-engineering-intern-94623), working between London and Christchurch. The engineer will design and build core components of the autonomous drone stack, including perception and state estimation systems using monocular vision and sensor fusion, working directly alongside the founders to ship systems tested both in simulation and in the field. On the hardware side, the company has opened an [Electrical Engineering Intern](https://zerogtalent.com/space-jobs/seeing-systems/electrical-engineering-intern-94262) position based in London. This role works on the drone electronics, handling schematics, PCB layouts, bring-up, bench testing, and field testing, with end-to-end responsibility for focused subsystems such as sensor breakout boards and power distribution modules for the company's modular architecture. Both roles offer salaries between £2,000 and £3,000 per month and involve hands-on prototyping for production systems deployed with European defense partners. ## Open Roles | Role | Location | Work Mode | Salary | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Software Engineering Intern](https://zerogtalent.com/space-jobs/seeing-systems/software-engineering-intern-94623) | London, England, GB / Christchurch, England, GB | Onsite | £2,000 - £3,000 / month | | [Electrical Engineering Intern](https://zerogtalent.com/space-jobs/seeing-systems/electrical-engineering-intern-94262) | London, England, GB | Onsite | £2,000 - £3,000 / month | [See all open roles at Seeing Systems](https://zerogtalent.com/space-companies/seeing-systems) --- *Source: [Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com), the job board for space, defense, AI, robotics and frontier-tech companies.*