Hybrid UAV Systems Engineer

at Destinus

• Job title: UAV Systems Engineer
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior, Lead
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: No Education Requirement
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Zurich, Switzerland

About the role

• UAV Systems Engineer shaping the future of defense through unmanned aerial systems. Designing system architecture and ensuring seamless integration of mission-critical subsystems.

Responsibilities

• **What You’ll Do**
• **System Architecture & Design - **Support the conceptual and detailed design of UAS platforms. Assist in ensuring the seamless integration of Flight Control Systems (FCS), navigation sensors, propulsion, and various mission payloads.
• **Requirement Management - **Support the formal systems engineering process by capturing, deriving, and managing stakeholder requirements.
• **Navigation & Sensor Integration -**Support the design and optimization of resilient PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) solutions, integrating GPS/GNSS, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), and anti-jamming technologies for operation in contested environments.
• **Communications & Datalinks - **Support the implementation of secure, low-latency communication suites, including Line-of-Sight (LOS), SATCOM, telemetry, and Radar systems.
• **Hands-on Electrical Integration - **Contribute to the electrical integration of the platform, including Power Generation & Distribution Systems. This includes supporting wire harness design, EMI/EMC considerations, and ensuring the electrical backbone supports all avionics.
• ·**Verification & Validation (V&V) - **Contribute to the development and execution of V&V plans. Support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing to verify that the system meets rigorous military standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-HDBK-516C).

Requirements

• **What You'll Need**
• 10+ years proven experience in UAV flight operations, flight testing, or aerospace operations environment
• Strong understanding of aviation safety standards, UAV regulations, and airspace management
• Experience planning and executing complex test campaigns and field operations
• Ability to manage technical documentation, reporting, and operational procedures
• Hands-on mindset with the ability to troubleshoot systems in real operational environments
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, logistics, and test teams
• Strong organizational and coordination skills with attention to detail
• Leadership experience or ability to mentor and guide operational teams
• Excellent communication skills in English, Spanish is a strong plus
• Willingness to travel frequently and operate in dynamic environments