Energetics Systems Integration Lead

Location: Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Katwijk aan Zee, South Holland, Netherlands

Department: Production & Manufacturing

Workplace: hybrid

Description

About the Role 

Imagine this. You are leading the integration of complex aerospace and defense systems where mechanical, electrical, propulsion, guidance, and energetic components all need to work together safely and reliably. As our 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.

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.

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 

• 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
• 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
• Lead the integration of payloads onto unmanned aerial systems, ensuring compatibility across mechanical, electrical, software, and system-level interfaces
• Develop and maintain integration test plans, procedures, acceptance criteria, and verification activities together with systems engineering and test teams
• Ensure explosive handling, storage, transportation, and integration activities are performed in accordance with applicable regulations and site-specific Explosive Safety Standard Operating Procedures ESSOPs
• Act as the technical point of contact for integration activities during internal and customer reviews, safety boards, and key programme milestones
• Identify integration risks, technical issues, interface conflicts, and safety hazards early and drive them through mitigation and closure
• Support programme design and readiness reviews including PDR and CDR, providing clear technical assessments of system integration maturity and outstanding risks
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action activities following integration issues, test anomalies, or safety-related events
• Maintain accurate technical documentation supporting configuration control, system traceability, verification, and regulatory audits
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to integration engineers and technicians, helping build strong engineering practices across the team

Requirements

What You'll Need 

• 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 a similarly regulated technical environment 

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with warhead and fuze integration processes and the associated safety protocols 

• Practical experience integrating defense systems integration or payloads onto unmanned aerial platforms 

• Extensive and verifiable experience with the 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 the ability to work effectively across engineering, manufacturing, safety, quality, and programme teams 

• Professional working proficiency in English 

• An advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline is a plus 

• Previous experience within the military, a defense contractor, or a government ordnance facility is highly valued 

• Certification in explosive ordnance handling or safety, such as Qualified Explosives Handler status or an equivalent qualification, is a strong advantage 

• Experience with PDR, CDR, safety case development, qualification, and regulatory certification processes is a plus 

• Familiarity with aerospace quality management systems such as AS9100 is beneficial 

Who You Are 

You are a hands-on technical leader who is comfortable working where complex engineering meets strict safety requirements. You understand that successful integration is not simply about making components fit together, but about understanding how the complete system behaves, identifying risks before they become problems, and making technically sound decisions under pressure. You take ownership, challenge assumptions when necessary, and communicate clearly across different engineering disciplines. You enjoy being close to the hardware, solving difficult integration problems, and helping others raise the technical bar.