As Technical Lead Engineer, UAV Development, you will serve as the primary technical authority for the integration and optimisation of Helsing's complex drone systems, working across mechanical, electrical, thermal, avionics and flight software disciplines. You will govern requirements, manage Interface Control Documents and lead verification and validation from simulation through to flight test.

Responsibilities

Lead multi-disciplinary engineering integration across mechanical structures, electrical distribution, thermal management, avionics and flight software, establishing Interface Control Documents and maintaining full requirements traceability from system level to subsystem throughout the product lifecycle
Define and lead the verification and validation strategy, governing test protocols from simulation and bench testing through to flight-test campaigns, ensuring every system-level requirement is demonstrably satisfied before programme milestones
Lead technical risk assessments including DFMEA and Functional Hazard Assessments, defining mitigation strategies that guarantee system safety and reliability in flight and ensure compliance with relevant regulations including EASA, FAA and SORA frameworks
Establish engineering workflows and chair critical design reviews including PDR and CDR, providing the technical authority that determines design maturity, cost-efficiency and scalability at each programme gate
Act as the primary technical interface for critical suppliers, manufacturing partners and customers on subsystem procurement, integration and technical negotiations, ensuring supplier outputs meet system requirements and programme timelines

Requirements

Have led multi-disciplinary hardware and software integration programmes as technical lead, systems engineer or lead architect within aerospace, robotics or UAV development, with a strong foundational background in mechanical engineering and broad expertise across electrical, thermal and flight software domains
Have defined and managed system-level requirements and Interface Control Documents using tools such as Jama or DOORS, applying V-model development processes and systems engineering methodologies to maintain traceability across complex product lifecycles
Have led verification and validation strategies across simulation, bench and flight-test environments, and are familiar with aviation standards such as DO-160 or ARP4754, or civil and military drone regulatory frameworks
Have chaired design reviews, governed technical risk assessments and acted as the primary technical interface for suppliers and customers, translating complex engineering trade-offs into clear decisions that keep programmes on track
Act decisively with minimal guidance, own outcomes end-to-end and initiate solutions without waiting for direction

Nice to have

Hands-on CAD and PLM experience using SolidWorks, Siemens NX or Teamcenter, with familiarity in ECAD and MCAD collaboration workflows within complex electromechanical integration programmes
Experience working within dual-use or export-controlled UAV programmes, including the documentation and compliance rigour required for regulatory submissions to civil or military airworthiness authorities

Benefits

Competitive salary and VSOP options
Relocation support: up to €2,500 and 4 weeks temporary accommodation
Learning: €500/£450 yearly allowance
Health & wellness: gym membership and mental health support (Nilo.health)
Social: regular company events and monthly social allowances
Enhanced parental leave: 22 weeks fully paid for primary caregivers & 6 weeks for secondary caregivers
Family support: 5 days of paid family emergency leave, 100% remote work option during pregnancy and phased return to work
A hands-on onboarding program (affectionately labelled “Infraduction”), in which you will be building tooling and applications to be used across the company. This is your opportunity to learn our tech stack, explore the company, and learn how we get things done - all whilst working with other engineering teams from day one