Systems Engineer (m/f/d)

The company seeks a Senior Systems Engineer in Zürich to lead UAV system architecture, integration, and compliance, ensuring end-to-end delivery of advanced unmanned aircraft platforms.

This position focuses on directing the design and integration of complex unmanned aerial vehicle systems. The role ensures that all components work together seamlessly while meeting performance targets and regulatory standards throughout the development process.

Responsibilities

• Establish and oversee the complete aircraft system architecture to guarantee smooth subsystem integration.
• Break down aircraft functions into manageable parts, covering avionics, propulsion, guidance, control, and payload systems.
• Formulate and track top-level system requirements, linking them directly to subsystem needs and mission goals.
• Supervise Verification and Validation planning and execution to confirm adherence to system-level specifications and industry norms.
• Manage interfaces between mechanical, avionics, software, and payload components.
• Guarantee alignment with UAV regulations and certification standards, such as SC Light UAS and relevant aviation rules.
• Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, testing, and operations groups across the entire UAV lifecycle.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote a robust systems engineering mindset within the team.
• Produce and update essential documentation, including architecture models, interface control documents, requirement specifications, and design rationale.
• Contribute to risk assessments, safety analyses, and airworthiness tasks to support compliant and resilient designs.
• Assist cross-functional and international project teams while maintaining high engineering quality standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Systems, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Over 10 years of experience in aerospace or UAV systems engineering, with deep expertise in system architecture, requirements management, and Verification & Validation.
• Demonstrated success in leading systems engineering teams and defining aircraft system architectures.
• Solid grasp of regulatory frameworks, including SC Light UAS, CS-27, and aerospace certification environments.
• Hands-on experience with requirements management tools like DOORS, Jama, Polarion, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with systems engineering standards such as INCOSE, ISO 15288, and ARP4754A.
• Strong knowledge of Verification & Validation planning, system testing, integration activities, and systems engineering processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities with the ability to balance technical rigor and practical engineering constraints.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to produce high-quality technical documentation.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to drive system-level decisions and identify technical risks early.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams and regulatory authorities.
• Professional English language skills (written and spoken); German is desirable.
• Eligibility to work in Switzerland (Swiss or EU citizenship required).