# Senior Systems Engineering Lead

> Destinus · Munich, Germany (Hybrid) · Full-time · Posted 2026-06-12

**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 Senior Systems Engineer is the technical owner of major sub-systems in our UAVs. This role leads the end-to-end technical execution of major sub-system UAV modifications, 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. The position reports directly into the Chief Engineer for the project. 

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**

**Sub-system Technical Ownership** 

-   Own subsystem-level technical decisions, trade-offs, and design rationale. 

-   Ensure coherence across UAV subsystems and maintain system architecture and interfaces. 

-   Own modifications from start to finish, ensuring that they make their way into production and operation. 

**Requirements & Vehicle Design** 

-   Lead 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, materials selection. 

-   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 structures, avionics, control and EWIS. 

-   Ensure designs reflect manufacturability, tolerances, and production feedback 

**Integration, Testing & Flight Campaigns** 

-   Support system integration across all UAV subsystems. 

-   Lead continuous integration, SITL and HITL efforts. 

-   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 5 years of experience in senior engineering roles within UAV or aerospace development programs. 

-   Proven track record as technical lead, system 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.

## Apply

[Apply at Destinus](https://apply.workable.com/destinusgroup/j/EDA72F413A/apply)

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