Senior Systems Engineer

Thunderstrike Aviation; Odense; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Thunderstrike Aviation in Odense, Denmark, seeks a Senior Systems Engineer to own the SE framework across UAV platforms, from requirements through deployment.

You will lead V-model, V&V, and safety activities, ensure traceability, compliance with STANAG/EASA, and collaborate across software, avionics, payloads, and airframe teams.

This role offers international exposure, fast growth, and a chance to shape the engineering process at TSA.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of SE experience in aerospace/defense or complex systems.
• Hands-on ownership of SE frameworks or major parts thereof.
• Deep knowledge of requirements engineering, traceability, V-model, and V&V.
• Able to communicate technical constraints to non-engineering stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own requirements management and baselining across platforms.
• Define and oversee the V-model, V&V strategy, and artefacts.
• Contribute to product specifications, ICDs, CONOPS, and manuals.
• Maintain compliance matrices; support audits and certifications.
• Support safety activities: FHA, PSSA, risk assessments.

Skills

Requirements engineering

ALM tools

V-model & V&V

Traceability

Systems engineering

Stakeholder communication

Aerospace experience

Tools

Visure

DOORS

Job description

Most UAV programs are defined by what they can't do. At Thunderstrike Aviation, we build systems that redefine what's possible – and we need a Senior Systems Engineer to make sure those systems are built right, from requirements to operational deployment.

Thunderstrike Aviation is a fast-growing UAV technology company based in Odense, Denmark. We design and manufacture advanced unmanned aircraft systems for defense, border security, and commercial clients across Europe. We operate with a startup drive and a craft-first culture – turning bold ideas into field-ready capability, fast.

As we scale toward full-rate production and international certification, safety, compliance, and engineering integrity are not trade-offs. They are the foundation everything is built on.

The Role

This is a Senior role with ownership of TSA's systems engineering framework across all UAV platforms. You will define the standards, own the processes, and ensure engineering decisions are traceable, verified, and defensible.

You will work across software, avionics, communications, payload, and airframe teams – ensuring that system requirements are correctly defined, verified, and translated into mission-ready capabilities throughout the full product lifecycle.

We move fast and we learn faster – this is an environment where challenging assumptions and raising concerns early are strengths, and where the best idea wins regardless of where it comes from.

What You'll Do

Requirements Engineering

• Own requirements management in ALM tools (Visure or equivalent)
• Establish and maintain requirement structures, traceability, baselines, and change control
• Manage Requirements Traceability Matrices (RTM) across all platforms

Verification & Validation

• Own the system V-model and define the V&V strategy
• Ensure verification coverage and evidence completeness
• Manage ATPs and verification artefacts
• Coordinate V&V activities across engineering disciplines

System Documentation

• Contribute to- and oversee product specifications, ICDs, CONOPS, operational manuals, and technical evidence packages
• Ensure documentation quality, consistency, and traceability

Compliance & Certification

• Ensure alignment with STANAG frameworks, EASA requirements, and internal engineering standards
• Maintain compliance matrices and support audits and certification activities
• Contribute to SORA, DVP, and operational approval processes

Safety Engineering

• Support system safety activities including FHA, PSSA, hazard identification, and risk assessments
• Ensure safety requirements are integrated throughout system development

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of systems engineering experience, including hands-on ownership of SE frameworks or significant parts thereof in aerospace, defense, robotics, or complex hardware/software systems
• Strong hands-on experience with ALM platforms – Visure, DOORS, or equivalent
• Deep understanding of requirements engineering, traceability, V-model development, and V&V
• Able to communicate technical constraints clearly to non-engineering stakeholders

Preferred: UAV/UAS systems experience, STANAG and EASA frameworks, SORA and DVP processes, safety engineering methodologies (FHA, PSSA), scale-up engineering environments.

Why Thunderstrike Aviation

Work on UAV platforms operating at the edge of what's technically achievable – across defense, security, and commercial domains.

Based in Odense, Europe's leading hub for robotics and drone innovation.

• Ownership from day one

You will define how systems engineering is done at TSA – not inherit a rigid process, but build and improve one that actually fits the product and the pace.

Close collaboration with software, avionics, payload, and airframe teams across the business.

• International Environment

A truly international team spanning multiple nationalities – bringing diverse perspectives to everything we build.

• Scale-up momentum
• We are growing fast – already 50+ people in 2026, scaling toward 100+ by end of 2027. Join early and help shape what we become.