Systems Engineer - Air Defense System - Contra

Job Overview

As a Systems Engineer for C2 C-UAS at Helsing, you will take our command and control (C2) node from a working prototype to a qualified system in the field. C-UAS stands for Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems, focusing on detecting and defeating hostile drones and cruise missiles.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the functional safety case for the C2 node, covering safety-relevant functions from identification through engagement decision to effector control.
• Run hazard analyses and turn their results into safety requirements, safety mechanisms, and verification evidence.
• Build and maintain the norms and approvals map for the C2 node, including applicable norms, required evidence, evidence owner, current status, and lead time.
• Plan and run qualification of C2 hardware and software together with test centres and authorities.
• Define how the autonomy level per kill-chain step and human approval of engagements are argued in the safety case, and what has to be true before autonomy is raised.
• Write and execute system-level verification and test campaigns in test beds, at test ranges, and in field trials, and close findings through root-cause analysis.
• Specify the safety and interface evidence the C2 node needs from sensor and effector partners, and review their qualification data.
• Prepare fielding: acceptance tests, operational documentation, training input, and support for user approval and handover.

Requirements

• Experience in taking a defence or safety-critical system through qualification and into operational use, ideally a C2, fire control, or air defence system.
• Hands-on experience with functional safety and system safety for defence or comparable safety-critical systems.
• Ability to write safety cases and hazard analyses for systems with a large software share.
• Knowledge of military qualification testing and its planning and passing requirements.
• Strong foundation in requirements management, verification, and interface definition across hardware and software.
• Comfortable running system-level tests and debugging failures.
• University degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Business fluency in German and English.
• Willingness to travel, including to test ranges and field trials.

Nice to Have

• Experience with qualification and approval processes of European armed forces, such as the Bundeswehr.
• Familiarity with the safety assurance of software-heavy, AI, or autonomous functions.
• Knowledge of air defence C2 concepts, TEWA, IFF, and SHORAD and V-SHORAD systems.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and VSOP options.
• Relocation support: up to €2,500 and 4 weeks temporary accommodation.
• Learning: €500/£450 yearly allowance.
• Health & wellness: gym membership and mental health support (Nilo.health).
• Social: regular company events and monthly social allowances.
• Enhanced parental leave: 22 weeks fully paid for primary caregivers & 6 weeks for secondary caregivers.
• Family support: 5 days of paid family emergency leave, 100% remote work option during pregnancy and phased return to work.
• Hands-on onboarding program.