Lead Systems Engineer - Avionics Communication

Who we are

Helsing is a defence AI company. Our mission is to protect our democracies. We aim to achieve technological leadership, so that open societies can continue to make sovereign decisions and control their ethical standards.  

As democracies, we believe we have a special responsibility to be thoughtful about the development and deployment of powerful technologies like AI. We take this responsibility seriously.  

We are an ambitious and committed team of engineers, AI specialists and customer-facing programme managers.  We are looking for mission-driven people to join our European teams – and apply their skills to solve the most complex and impactful problems. We embrace an open and transparent culture that welcomes healthy debates on the use of technology in defence, its benefits, and its ethical implications.  

The role

As an Avionics Systems Engineer focusing on communications, you will define the end-to-end architecture for airborne systems encompassing data, voice, and mission-critical links. By collaborating with industry partners and platform teams, you will integrate emerging technologies into critical air platforms. You will engage with diverse partners, suppliers, and government stakeholders to align on standards and interoperability. Your work will fundamentally shape the future of airborne mission systems, taking ownership of the system from initial definition through development and ultimate deployment. You will accomplish this by collaborating alongside a high-calibre team of specialists, strategists, and partners to deliver impactful results. 

The day-to-day

Guide the system design and development of airborne and ground-based communication architectures, leveraging modern technologies to deliver operational advantages 

Foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders, partners, suppliers, and government bodies to ensure seamless integration 

Oversee the complete systems engineering lifecycle, advancing concepts from initial requirements through to full qualification 

Prepare and supervise rigorous testing protocols at both the system and aircraft levels, encompassing flight tests 

Produce comprehensive certification and compliance documentation, ensuring strict adherence to aviation and regulatory standards throughout development 

Provide transparent reporting on project status and technical developments to engineering and programme management teams 

You should apply if you

Hold a degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline 

Have defined and developed military or civil communication architectures for air platforms 

Possess deep knowledge of communication technology, encompassing software-defined radios, data links, air-to-air and air-to-ground communications, cybersecurity, RF, and SATCOM 

Understand network management, antenna design, electronic warfare, and secure communications 

Demonstrate clear and efficient communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical findings to diverse internal and external audiences 

Are committed to remaining at the forefront of current research and technological advancements

Note: We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically   under-represented. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points.

Nice to Have

Bring established familiarity with aircraft certification processes and avionics integration 

Have practical experience overseeing live flight test programmes

Join Helsing and work with world-leading experts in their fields  

Helsing’s work is important. You’ll be directly contributing to the protection of democratic countries while balancing both ethical and geopolitical concerns

The work is unique. We operate in a domain that has highly unusual technical requirements and constraints, and where …