Control & Flight Test Engineer

CDDS AG; Zürich; On-site; CHF 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct impact on mission-critical tech

Startup environment with high ownersh

Real-world testing and demonstrations

On-site Zürich location

Job summary

CDDS AG is seeking a Control & Flight Test Engineer to advance the control, vision, hardware, and operational stack of our interceptor drone platform. You will test, tune, and develop state estimation, control, and vision algorithms used in high-speed field demos and customer shoots.

You will collaborate with control, vision, software, and hardware teams to ensure algorithms translate into performance on deployed systems, with ownership of field tests and rigorous validation across the R&D stack.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Robotics, Control Engineering, Electrical Engineering or similar with ETH Zürich or equivalent.
• Strong analytical mindset to derive, evaluate, and validate a complex system.
• Good understanding of classical and optimal control, Kalman filtering, state estimation, and linear algebra (rotations and transformations in SE(3)).
• Proficiency in Python and Linux.
• Comfortable in fast-paced, high-ownership environments with long hours when the mission demands it.
• Openness to travel often.

Responsibilities

• Designing and validate low-latency guidance and control strategies
• Help to push our multi-sensor fusion algorithms for state estimation
• Verify and test new computer vision approaches
• Test and Validate Low-Level Control Software and Hardware Changes
• Raise risks and issues you see on the field to the R&D team
• Analyse data, evaluate performance and failure modes of our full tactical unit while doing intercepts

Skills

Mathematical depth

Python

Linux

Strong analytical mindset

High ownership

Willing to travel

Education

PhD or MSc in Robotics, Control Engineering, Electrical Engineering or similar

Tools

ROS2

PX4

ArduPilot

Gazebo

Isaac Sim

Job description

You want to help build Europe’s resilience? You want to protect people and critical infrastructure – ultimately saving the lives of thousands?

You want to work at the frontier of high-performance autonomous systems?

Join us at CDDS to bring next-generation of control, state-estimation and computer cision algorithms into high-speed kinetic interceptor drones.

CDDS specializes in developing low-collateral kinetic interceptors designed to neutralize malicious drones (Mavics, FPV racers and fast fixed wings). Our solutions are built for precision and safety, minimizing risk to surroundings while effectively countering unauthorized or threatening unmanned aerial systems. We work at the cutting edge of counter-drone technology, delivering reliable protection for critical assets and environments.

Tasks

Your Mission

We are looking for an exceptional Control & Flight Test Engineer to drive the control, vision, hardware and operational stack of our interceptor drone platform to the next level. You will test, tune and develop state-estimation, control and vision algorithms that directly determine successful target interception. You will act as the eyes and ears of the R&D team on customer demos and field tests abroad. You will gain a big insights in all our systems as you have to make sure that they are working such that it can be deployed to a user.

You will work closely with all teams, meaning control, vison, software and hardware experts — ensuring your and the teams algorithms translate directly into field performance.

Core Responsibilities

• Designing and validate low-latency guidance and control strategies
• Help to push our multi-sensor fusion algorithms for state estimation
• Verify and test new computer vision approaches
• Test and Validate Low-Level Control Software and Hardware Changes
• Raise risks and issues you see on the field to the R&D team
• Analyse data, evaluate performance and failure modes of our full tactical unit while doing intercepts

Requirements

We are looking for people who thrive on mathematical depth, rapid iteration, and hands-on flight testing. You take full ownership of field test — Aligning with the R&D team and your Safety Pilot.

Your Profile

• PhD or MSc in Robotics, Control Engineering, Electrical Engineering or similar field with strong academic record (from ETH Zürich or equivalent)
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to derive, evaluate, and validate a complex system
• Good understanding of classical & optimal control, Kalman filtering, state estimation, and linear algebra (rotations and transformations in SE(3))
• Proficiency in Python and Linux
• Comfortable in fast-paced, high-ownership environments with long hours when the mission demands it
• Openness to travel often

Nice-to-Have

• ROS2, PX4, Ardupilot and real-time robotics software
• Fast-moving object interception / high-dynamics control
• Experience with Simulation Frameworks like Gazebo or Isaac Sim
• Background in drone flight testing or competitive robotics

Benefits

Why CDDS

• Direct impact on a mission‑critical technology shaping Europe’s security landscape
• Fast‑moving startup environment with high ownership
• Work with a highly technical, ambitious, and hands‑on team
• Real‑world testing, deployments, and customer demonstrations
• Attractive compensation

Details

Location: Zürich Hardbrücke, on‑site

Start date: ASAP

Environment: High‑impact deep‑tech startup working on real deployments