Senior Technical Lead – UAV & Autonomous Systems

Senior Technical Lead – UAV / Autonomous Systems (End-to-End: Vehicle to Avionics to Autonomy to Data)

Location: Germany (flexible base location)

Travel: Regular travel to client sites within Germany required

Employment: Full-time

EU citizenship required (due to German defense clearance – non-negotiable)

Language: Fluent German and English (both required)

Who this role is for

You are a rare hybrid:

• You can architect a UAV system at the whiteboard.
• You can debug an integration issue in code or on hardware.
• You understand end-to-end: vehicle platform, avionics, autonomy software, data flows.
• You have worked with simulation environments to validate real systems.
• You are ready to lead technically and also work hands-on.

This is not a pure management role. This is not a research-only role. You will write code, integrate systems, and debug.

Must-Have Requirements

CategoryRequirement

Citizenship

EU passport (no exceptions – defense clearance)

Language

Fluent German AND English (technical discussions, client facing)

Domain

Strong background in UAV / autonomous systems / robotics (real systems, not just academic)

Simulation

Hands-on experience with simulation environments (e.g., Gazebo, AirSim, FlightGear, JSBSim, or similar)

Avionics

Solid understanding of avionics / flight systems (flight controllers, sensors, integration)

Leadership

Previous experience as System Architect, Lead Engineer, or Technical Lead

Hands-on

Ability to code, integrate, debug (e.g., C++, Python – real code, not scripts only)

System thinking

Understand interactions between vehicle, software, and data – can trace a signal end to end

Team guidance

Can structure complex technical topics and guide cross-functional teams

Nice to Have (not required, but valued)

• Backend, APIs, or cloud experience (AWS or similar)
• Data pipelines, AI, or perception
• Security basics (certificates, encrypted communication)

What you will actually do (responsibilities – clear and actionable)

AreaTasks

Architecture

Own system architecture and technical solution design for UAV and autonomy platforms

Hands-on

Write code, debug integration issues, solve technical problems personally

Integration

Align vehicle, avionics, autonomy software, and data pipelines

Simulation

Support simulation-based development and real-world validation

Customer facing

Act as main technical interface between engineering teams and customers

Team leadership

Lead cross-functional teams (software, avionics, simulation, integration)

Delivery

Translate complex topics into clear plans, priorities, and milestones

Trade-offs

Drive system-level decisions and manage trade-offs

Conditions – Be clear before you apply

ConditionDetail

Base location

Flexible within Germany

Travel

Regular travel to client sites within Germany (this is expected, not occasional)

Employment

Full-time

Impact

High ownership, high accountability – not a micromanaged role

Clearance

EU citizenship required (you will need to obtain or already have German defense clearance eligibility)