SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Destinus is revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). As Energetics Systems Integration Lead, you will take technical ownership of the integration of missile systems, warheads, fuzes, and payloads for unmanned aerial platforms, from initial assembly through testing and acceptance.
You will lead end-to-end technical integration of missile subsystems including airframe, propulsion, guidance, warhead, and fuzing components, ensuring alignment with programme specifications, interfaces, and safety requirements. You will oversee warhead and fuze integration activities, working closely with design, safety, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure functional requirements and safety interlocks are correctly implemented and verified.
Key responsibilities include: leading payload integration onto unmanned aerial systems ensuring compatibility across mechanical, electrical, software, and system-level interfaces; developing and maintaining integration test plans, procedures, acceptance criteria, and verification activities; ensuring explosive handling, storage, transportation, and integration activities comply with applicable regulations and site-specific Explosive Safety Standard Operating Procedures (ESSOs); acting as technical point of contact during internal and customer reviews, safety boards, and key programme milestones; identifying integration risks, technical issues, interface conflicts, and safety hazards early and driving mitigation and closure; supporting programme design and readiness reviews including PDR and CDR; leading root cause analysis and corrective action activities following integration issues or safety-related events; maintaining accurate technical documentation supporting configuration control and regulatory audits; and providing technical guidance and mentorship to integration engineers and technicians.
This is a senior, hands-on engineering role for someone who understands both the technical complexity and the responsibility that comes with working around energetic materials. You will work across engineering, safety, quality, manufacturing, and testing teams to solve integration challenges, manage technical risks, and ensure every system meets demanding safety, quality, and performance requirements.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or equivalent relevant experience
- At least 10 years of professional experience in missile, UAS, defense systems integration and testing within defense manufacturing, R&D, or similarly regulated technical environment
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with warhead and fuze integration processes and associated safety protocols
- Practical experience integrating defense systems or payloads onto unmanned aerial platforms
- Extensive and verifiable experience with safe handling, storage, transportation, and integration of explosives and energetic materials
- Working knowledge of relevant explosive and ordnance safety requirements such as MIL-STD-1316, MIL-STD-2105, or applicable regional equivalents
- Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, system integration methodologies, verification and validation, and configuration management
- Experience developing and executing integration test plans and working with complex multidisciplinary hardware systems
- Ability to confidently read and interpret engineering drawings, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), technical specifications, and system requirements
- Strong technical documentation and communication skills, with ability to work effectively across engineering, manufacturing, safety, quality, and programme teams
- Professional working proficiency in English
PLUS (advantageous):
- Advanced degree in relevant engineering discipline
- Previous experience within military, defense contractor, or government ordnance facility
- Certification in explosive ordnance handling or safety (Qualified Explosives Handler status or equivalent)
- Experience with PDR, CDR, safety case development, qualification, and regulatory certification processes
- Familiarity with aerospace quality management systems such as AS9100
