Barend Grobler

UAV developer and systems technician with 10+ years of hands-on experience across the full fixed-wing and multirotor lifecycle — from concept and airframe fabrication through SACAA certification, fleet management, and maintenance. As Head of R&D at UAV and Drone Solutions, led the development of three distinct VTOL platforms and designed and manufactured an endurance hexacopter airframe from scratch. Experienced in component specification using eCalc, autopilot integration across ArduPilot, Betaflight and DJI systems, PID tuning, embedded systems prototyping (Arduino/ESP32), and communication protocols including PWM, SBUS, I2C, UART and CAN bus.

Engaged by SACAA to assist in flight log analysis and accident reporting.

Independent Developer at Self-directed (2023-12 – Present)

• Building full-stack web and mobile applications using AI-assisted development workflows.
• Developing quantitative trading systems and machine learning pipelines for automated execution environments.
• Developed an Arduino BLE 33 Nano project tracking yaw vectors and elevation data from a rifle-mounted IMU (accel, mag, baro, temp) to estimate projectile impact zones, with a React Native mobile app as the interface.

Flight Log Analyst & Accident Report Consultant at SACAA (2023-01 – 2023-12)

• Approached directly by SACAA to assist with flight log analysis and creation of formal accident reports, drawing on deep operational and regulatory knowledge of UAV systems.

Head of Research & Development at UAV and Drone Solutions (2020-12 – 2023-08)

Promoted to Head of R&D after successfully completing testing and implementation of the Foxtech Nimbus Pro VTOL.

• Developed three VTOL platforms — tilt-rotor tri, 4+1 pusher, and 4+1 puller — across imported airframes; responsible for full component specification (using eCalc for performance and endurance simulation), integration, autopilot setup, configuration, PID tuning, and mechanical setup.
• Led SACAA registration and operational implementation of the 4+1 puller platform, managing all compliance documentation and regulatory liaison.
• Designed and manufactured the airframe for a 600-class 1-hour endurance hexacopter from scratch as a contractor; component spec validated using eCalc simulations.
• Developed and delivered VTOL operator training programmes to regulatory standard for commercial operations.
• Managed component procurement and vendor relationships across all programmes.

Quality Manager at UAV and Drone Solutions (2020-06 – 2020-11)

• Sole quality authority for all manufacturing output, repairs, and maintenance sign-off across fixed-wing and multirotor platforms.
• Established and enforced quality control procedures, improving regulatory airworthiness documentation and consistency across the operational fleet.
• Assisted R&D with extended troubleshooting and implementation of a commercially acquired VTOL platform.

Repairs, Maintenance & Testing Technician at UAV and Drone Solutions (2020-02 – 2020-06)

• Manufacturing, repairs, and scheduled maintenance on the Bathawk fixed-wing surveillance platform.
• Promoted to Quality Manager on the basis of consistency and quality of repair and maintenance output.

Repairs, Maintenance & Testing Technician at United Drone Holdings Group (2019-04 – 2020-02)

• Contributed to avionics integration on the Arace Griffin / UDH Scout VTOL, including anti-collision systems; participated in the SACAA registration process involving a live demonstration with a manned aircraft.
• Built and maintained the full RPAS Training Academy trainer fleet: assembled and configured a Discovery fixed-wing platform and a fleet of coaxial tricopters on DJI NAZA flight controllers.
• Responsible for the Phantom fleet used in RPAS Training Academy training operations.
• Maintained Mavic Pro and Phantom 4 Pro fleets for Drone Ops and Advanced Aerial.
• DJI platform repair and maintenance specialist across Phantom, Mavic Pro, M200, M210, and M600 series.

UAV Design & Systems Integration at Freelance / Commercial Opportunities (2015-09 – 2019-04)

• Designed and built 250-class FPV racing drones (2016–2020): full frame assembly, component selection, Betaflight configuration, and PID tuning.
• Applied 3D printing, design, and drone systems amateur

SACAA RMT Certification – UAV and Drone Solutions (2020-01 – 2020-12)

CAD Draughting – African Academy (2009-01 – 2009-06)

Fly Fishing Guide Qualification – Sweet Water Guide School (2013-01 – 2013-12)

Archery Elk Guide Qualification – Bliss Creek Outfitters (2011-01 – 2011-12)

B.Comm in Business Management – University of Pretoria (2003-01 – 2003-12)

Professional Hunter (PH) Licence – Tomak Professional Hunting School (2002-01 – 2002-12)

National Senior Certificate (Matric) – Hendrik Verwoerd High School, Pretoria (2001-01 – 2001-12)