# Head of UAV Systems

> Destinus · Madrid, Spain (Hybrid) · Full-time · Posted 2026-02-10

**Workplace:** hybrid

**Department:** R&D & Engineering

## Description

**About the role**

Imagine being technical backbone behind Destinus’ unmanned aerial vehicles, owning the system end to end and setting the technical direction that turns bold concepts into flight-ready reality. The Head of UAV Systems is the technical authority and system owner for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles. This role leads the end-to-end technical execution of UAV development programs, from early concept and requirements definition through detailed design, prototype manufacturing, system integration, testing, and flight qualification. This position requires strong hands-on technical background, proven leadership in complex aerospace programs, and a clear focus on results, quality, and delivery timelines.

At **Destinus**, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. **Destinus** partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

**What You´ll Do**

**Technical Leadership & System Ownership**

-   Act as the technical authority and system architect for UAV development programs.
-   Own system-level technical decisions, trade-offs, and design rationale.
-   Ensure coherence across all UAV subsystems and maintain system architecture and interfaces.

**Requirements & Vehicle Design**

-   Lead system and subsystem requirements definition and management.
-   Translate mission, customer, and regulatory needs into verifiable technical requirements.
-   Guide aerodynamic design and flight performance, mechanical design and structural sizing, and materials selection and manufacturing concepts.
-   Drive system-level optimization for performance, weight, cost, reliability, and manufacturability.

**Hands-on Engineering, Prototyping & Manufacturing**

-   Stay directly involved in prototype manufacturing and assembly.
-   Apply strong Design for Manufacturing and Assembly principles.
-   Lead prototype builds for metallic and composite structures.
-   Ensure designs reflect manufacturability, tolerances, and production feedback

**Integration, Testing & Flight Campaigns**

-   Support system integration across all UAV subsystems.
-   Define and oversee ground and flight test plans.
-   Actively support and participate in flight test campaigns, ensuring safe execution and rapid technical feedback loops.
-   Lead anomaly investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.

**Project Execution & Delivery**

-   Ensure technical execution meets quality standards and delivery milestones.
-   Identify and mitigate technical risks early.
-   Maintain strong focus on results, deadlines, and engineering excellence.
-   Support program planning with realistic schedules and technical estimates.

**Team Leadership & Collaboration**

-   Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team.
-   Establish engineering standards and best practices.
-   Collaborate closely with program management, manufacturing, operations, and partners.

## Requirements

**What You’ll Need**

-   **Minimum 10 years of experience** in technical leadership roles within UAV or aerospace development programs.
-   Proven track record as **technical lead, system engineer, chief engineer or vehicle architect** on complex UAV projects.
-   Demonstrable hands-on experience across the full UAV development lifecycle: **design → build → test → fly**.
-   Deep technical expertise in:

-   System requirements definition and management
-   UAV and aircraft design
-   Aerodynamics and flight mechanics
-   Mechanical design and structural analysis
-   System architecture definition
-   Integration of avionics, propulsion, payloads, and control systems
-   Ground and flight testing

-   Strong understanding of manufacturing-driven design and prototype iteration.
-   Experience working in high-technology, fast-paced, results-oriented environments.

**Who You Are**

You bring hands-on experience navigating airworthiness, certification, and regulatory frameworks, and you understand what it takes to move UAV systems from concept to compliant, flight-ready platforms. You have worked with fixed-wing, VTOL, or hybrid UAV configurations and know the technical and operational trade-offs that come with each architecture.

## Benefits

**Why Join Us?**

**✨ The Thrill of the Future – Work on cutting-edge projects that redefine aerospace.  
✨ Global Innovation Hub – Collaborate with top engineers from all over the world.  
✨ Fast-Paced & High-Growth – Experience the rush of working in a rapidly expanding company.  
✨ Real Impact – Your work won’t be theoretical—it will shape the future of flight.**

**Destinus is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity in our companies and our teams and do not discriminate based on age, race, religion, color, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status.**

**🚀 Destinus – Challenge the limits of time, space, and human potential.**

## Apply

[Apply at Destinus](https://apply.workable.com/destinusgroup/j/1E92D0EC18/apply)

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