System Integration Engineer (System Engineer - Effector Development)

Destinus; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a Systems Engineer to lead system-level definition and development of effector programmes, bridging operational needs with technical execution across propulsion, structures, avionics, and seeker.

The ideal candidate has a defence systems background, experience with ConOps, requirements, interfaces, SRR/PDR/CDR, and V&V planning, with strong cross-functional leadership and English fluency.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters in aerospace, systems, mechanical, or electrical engineering.
• 5–8 years of defence or weapons systems experience.
• Proven ability to define requirements and manage interfaces across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience with ConOps development, trade studies, and make-or-buy decisions.
• Familiarity with SRR, PDR, CDR processes and related documentation.
• Exposure to V&V planning and standards (ARP4754, MIL-STD).
• Breadth across propulsion, structures, avionics, or guidance.
• Fluent in English; German is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Define and own system-level requirements for effector programmes.
• Develop and maintain ConOps and operational scenarios with stakeholders.
• Define and manage technical interfaces; own ICD and IRS documentation.
• Lead trade studies and make-or-buy analyses to identify best solutions.
• Identify and track critical components; define mitigation strategies.
• Lead or support system design reviews and prepare technical baselines.
• Coordinate system integration across propulsion, structures, avionics, and external teams.
• Support V&V planning; define the V&V approach and ensure traceability.

Skills

Systems engineering

Defence systems

Requirements management

ConOps development

Trade studies

Make-or-buy analysis

Cross-disciplinary coordination

English fluent

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Systems/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in a related field

Tools

AR P4754

DEF STAN

MIL-STD

Interface Control Documentation (ICD)

Job description

The Destinus engineering team is seeking a Systems Engineer to lead the system-level definition and technical development of our effector programmes. This role sits at the centre of the development effort – bridging operational requirements and technical execution across propulsion, structures, avionics, and seeker.

The ideal candidate brings a defence systems background and understands the full development lifecycle of a guided effector – from ConOps and requirements through subsystem design, integration, and qualification. They are technically credible across multiple domains, rigorous in their systems thinking, and effective at driving alignment across disciplinary teams.

What You’ll Do

• Define and own system-level requirements for effector programmes – capturing operational needs, translating them into technical requirements, and maintaining traceability from ConOps through to subsystem specifications
• Develop and maintain ConOps and operational scenario definitions; work with the customer and programme stakeholders to ensure operational intent is correctly reflected in the system design
• Define and manage technical interfaces between subsystems (propulsion, warhead/pyrotechnics, structures, avionics, guidance, and GSE); own the ICD and IRS documentation
• Lead trade studies and make-or-buy analyses to identify the best technical and commercial solutions at system and subsystem level
• Identify and track critical components and subsystems; define mitigation strategies for technical risk and drive resolution through the engineering team
• Lead or support system design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and prepare the associated technical baseline documentation
• Coordinate system integration activities across propulsion, structures, avionics, and external teams; ensure interfaces are closed and integration milestones are met
• Support verification and validation planning; define the V&V approach at system level and ensure it flows down to subsystem test plans

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Systems, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5–8 years of systems engineering experience on defence or weapons system programmes – rockets, missiles, or guided weapons are a strong advantage; a background in aerospace or space launcher development is also suitable
• Proven experience defining and managing system requirements and interfaces across multi-disciplinary teams in a defence acquisition or development environment
• Hands-on experience with ConOps development, trade studies, and make-or-buy decision frameworks
• Familiarity with system design review processes (SRR, PDR, CDR) and the associated technical documentation
• Experience with V&V planning and requirements traceability; exposure to relevant standards (e.g. ARP4754, DEF STAN, MIL-STD, or equivalent) is an advantage
• Solid understanding of at least one key effector subsystem domain – propulsion, structures, avionics, or guidance – with the breadth to work credibly across all of them
• Structured, rigorous, and delivery-focused – able to drive technical decisions without getting lost in analysis
• Fluent in English; German is an advantage