Head of Vehichle Design & Integration - UAS (Aerodynamics & CFD)

Stax - Deep Tech Talent; München; Vor Ort; EUR 120.000 - 190.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Stax - Deep Tech Talent is seeking a Head of Vehicle Design & Integration to lead the UAV vehicle design team and own architecture across platforms. You will ensure integration of structures, aerodynamics, avionics, EPS, powertrain and payloads for high-performance, manufacturable aircraft.

The role requires 7+ years in aircraft structures or UAV development, a strong CAD/FEA background, and fluent German and English. EU 947/SORA and STANAG 4703 compliance are key anchors.

Qualifikationen

• MSc/PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering is required.
• 7+ years in aircraft structures, vehicle design or UAV development.
• Strong background in CAD, composites, structural analysis and FEA.
• Solid grounding in aerodynamics, CFD, flight mechanics and aircraft performance.
• Experience with avionics, EPS, powertrain and payload integration.
• Leadership of multidisciplinary teams with vehicle-level ownership.
• Fluent in German and English.

Aufgaben

• Lead vehicle design and integration from concept to production.
• Own vehicle architecture, ensuring cross-subsystem integration.
• Oversee aerodynamics, CFD, flight mechanics and performance.
• Direct CAD design, drawing release and approvals.
• Coordinate with suppliers and manufacturing on producibility.
• Mentor and grow the design team and recruit capability.

Kenntnisse

CAD

CFD

FEA

Aerosonics

Flight mechanics

German language

English language

Team leadership

Ausbildung

MSc/PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD

CFD

FEA

Jobbeschreibung

Stax Talent is partnering with a defence-tech unmanned aerial systems manufacturer — a company with a long-standing legacy in the sector, developing long-endurance UAS platforms for defence and security missions. Their flagship platform is recognised as best-in-class in its category, and the engineering team works at the edge of what's physically achievable in aerodynamics, GNC, onboard computation and AI-assisted autonomy.

We're hiring a Head of Vehicle Design & Integration to lead the vehicle design team and take full technical ownership of UAS vehicle architecture across current and future platforms, reporting to the Head of Engineering.

The Role

You’ll lead vehicle design and integration from concept to production — ensuring structures, aerodynamics, avionics, EPS, powertrain and payloads come together as a coherent, high-performance, manufacturable aircraft.

What You’ll Own

• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team across mechanical design, structures, aerodynamics, stress analysis and integration
• Own vehicle architecture and configuration, ensuring compliance with EU 947/SORA and STANAG 4703
• Define mechanical design principles, structural architecture, materials and load paths
• Manage vehicle-level interfaces across all subsystems
• Lead multidisciplinary trade-offs on mass, power, packaging, thermal and manufacturability
• Oversee aerodynamic design, CFD and flight mechanics for performance and controllability
• Lead CAD design, drawing release and approval
• Direct structural analysis and verification, including FEA
• Support prototype integration, flight testing and root-cause investigations
• Coordinate with suppliers and manufacturing on producibility and quality
• Mentor and grow the team, supporting recruitment and capability development

What You Bring

• MSc/PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
• 7+ years in aircraft structures, vehicle design and/or UAV development
• Strong mechanical/structural design background — CAD, composites, structural analysis, FEA
• Solid grounding in aerodynamics, CFD, flight mechanics and aircraft performance
• Understanding of avionics, EPS, powertrain and payload integration
• Experience with aircraft manufacturing, integration, testing and non-conformity resolution
• A track record of leading multidisciplinary engineering teams with full vehicle-level ownership
• Fluent in German and English

Why This Role

Evolve platforms already proven in the field while shaping next-generation airframes built for endurance, efficiency and reliability. Real technical ownership, close ties with research institutions, and a direct hand in the future of autonomous aviation.