Automation Engineer

Location: Hengelo, Overijssel, Netherlands

Department: Production & Manufacturing

Workplace: on_site

Employment Type: full

Description

Imagine standing at the very intersection where innovation meets reality. On one side, our engineers are designing cutting-edge UAV systems; on the other, production teams are assembling machines that will define the future of defense. We are looking for an Automation Engineer to join our Production/Testing Team, with a strong focus on automating test activities for electronic systems and laboratory setups. This role involves close collaboration with R&D and Production teams, while being an integral part of the Testing Team, contributing to the development of both software and hardware solutions aimed at improving test efficiency, repeatability, and reliability.

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

• Design, develop, and maintain automation solutions for test activities.

• Write scripts and software applications to control test rigs, measurement instruments, and data acquisition systems.
• Develop and maintain software interfaces, including web-based interfaces, for test control and monitoring.
• Contribute to the definition of test system architectures (hardware + software).
• Support debugging and troubleshooting of electronic systems under test.
• Create and maintain technical documentation for test tools and procedures.

Requirements

What You’ll Need

• Strong programming and automation skills
• Proficiency in Python (primary language)
• Knowledge of additional programming languages (e.g. C/C++, JavaScript, etc.) is a plus
• Hands-on, problem-solving mindset
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams (software and hardware)
• Experience with PCB design, testing, or debugging
• Web development experience for building test user interfaces
• Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation (oscilloscopes, power supplies, DAQ systems, sensors)
• CAD design experience
• 3D printing for prototyping fixtures, enclosures, or test accessories
• Experience working with complex hardware test environments

Who You Are

You are a hands-on engineer who feels at home where hardware meets software, comfortable moving between lab setups, electronic systems, and automation code without friction. You naturally understand how complex systems behave, allowing you to translate test needs into robust automated solutions that improve efficiency, repeatability, and reliability. You enjoy collaborating closely with R&D and Production teams, speaking the same technical language and keeping a strong focus on real-world constraints. Quality matters to you, especially in high-stakes environments, and you take ownership of building test systems that engineers can trust.