System Integration Engineer (System Engineer - Effector Development)

Destinus; Zürich; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a Systems Engineer to lead the system-level definition and technical development of our effector programmes. You will bridge operational requirements and technical execution across propulsion, structures, avionics, and seeker, ensuring traceability from ConOps to subsystems.

The ideal candidate has a defence systems background with full lifecycle experience, is rigorous in systems thinking, and can drive alignment across disciplines while communicating fluently in English;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Systems, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• 5–8 years of systems engineering on defence or weapons programmes; rockets, missiles, or guided weapons are a strong advantage; aerospace/space launcher development also suitable.
• Proven experience defining and managing system requirements and interfaces across multi-disciplinary teams in defence acquisition or development.
• Hands-on experience with ConOps development, trade studies, and make-or-buy decision frameworks.
• Familiarity with system design review processes (SRR, PDR, CDR) and associated technical documentation.
• Experience with V&V planning and requirements traceability; exposure to standards (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 breadth to work across all.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

ConOps development

Trade studies

Interface definition

V&V planning

Documentation (SRR/PDR/CDR)

English fluency

German advantageous

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Aerospace/Systems

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