Kinetics Specialist

Destinusgroup; Katwijk; On-site; EUR 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a hands-on Kinetics Specialist for Production to bridge design intent and industrial scale, focusing on safety, quality and execution in regulated defense environments. You will provide technical oversight for production of kinetic items, drive process improvements, supervise documentation, and mentor junior engineers while collaborating with engineering, procurement and quality teams.

This role requires a bachelor’s in engineering, 5+ years in munitions or energetic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline with 5+ years in munitions, defense manufacturing, or energetic materials.
• Proven hands-on expertise in kinetic weapons systems and explosive production within regulated defense environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of propellants, explosives, energetic manufacturing processes, and materials science.
• Experience with quality systems, statistical process control, CAD tools, and technical documentation.
• In-depth understanding of explosive safety standards, military regulations, and defense trade compliance.
• Exposure to advanced and emerging defense production technologies and kinetic systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and a strong safety-first mindset.

Responsibilities

• Technical oversight for production of kinetic defense items including munitions and energetic components.
• Monitor, optimize, and troubleshoot manufacturing processes for quality and efficiency.
• Coordinate with engineering and production for design updates and process improvements.
• Lead root cause and failure analysis for defects and test results.
• Own technical aspects of kinetic systems including munitions, energetics, and rocket motors.
• Develop SOPs, hazard analyses and compliance with explosive safety standards.
• Mentor junior engineers and coordinate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Munitions experience

Defense manufacturing

Energetic materials

Explosive safety

Statistical process control

CAD tools

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

CAD tools

Documentation tools

Job description

About the Role

You are at the heart of where precision meets production, turning complex kinetic designs into reliable, high performance reality. As Kinetics Specialist for Production, you step into a mission critical role where safety, quality, and execution must move in perfect sync. Reporting directly to the Head of Kinetics you become the technical anchor that keeps propulsion and energetic systems moving smoothly from design intent to industrial scale production.

At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission‑critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

What You´ll Do

Production Support & Technical Oversight

• Technical support for production of kinetic defense items including projectiles, warheads, rocket motors, and explosive components
• Monitoring, optimizing, and troubleshooting manufacturing processes to ensure quality, efficiency, and performance
• Coordination with engineering and production teams to implement design updates, process improvements, and corrective actions
• Root cause and failure analysis for defects, non-conformances, and test results
• Technical ownership of kinetic systems including munitions, energetics, rocket motors, fuses, and guided systems
• Support system integration activities and validation testing of prototypes and production units
• Oversight of handling, storage, transport, and disposal of energetic materials
• Development of SOPs, hazard analyses, risk assessments, and compliance with explosive safety standards
• Design and setup of production and handling sites for energetic materials
• Management of ammunition tracking, serialization, and lifecycle documentation

Safety, Security & Compliance

• Technical authority for explosive safety and occupational health risks
• Execution of safety audits, inspections, and regulatory compliance activities
• Leadership of incident investigations when required
• Safety analysis and site design aligned with local and international regulations

Quality Assurance & Process Control

• Analysis of process control data and implementation of continuous improvement actions
• Support product qualification, certification, and manufacturing change approvals
• Maintenance of production records, test documentation, and configuration control

Organizational & Administrative Support

• Scheduling, resource coordination, and project tracking support for the Kinetics team
• Preparation of technical reports, presentations, and documentation
• Coordination with procurement, supply chain, and logistics teams
• Support budgeting, cost estimation, customer interactions, and program reviews
• Mentoring junior engineers and technicians

Requirements

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline with 5+ years of experience in munitions, defense manufacturing, or energetic materials.
• Proven hands‑on expertise in kinetic weapons systems and explosive production within regulated defense environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of propellants, explosives, energetic manufacturing processes, and materials science.
• Experience with quality systems, statistical process control, CAD tools, and technical documentation.
• In‑depth understanding of explosive safety standards, military regulations, and defense trade compliance.
• Exposure to advanced and emerging defense production technologies and kinetic systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, structured problem‑solving, and a strong safety‑first mindset.
• High attention to detail, clear communication skills, and effective cross‑functional collaboration.
• Adaptable, proactive, and driven by continuous improvement.
• In‑depth knowledge of explosive safety standards ( NATO AASTP‑1, MIL‑SPEC and other regulations).
• Understanding of ITAR, EAR, and defense trade compliance requirements.
• There will be traveling

Who You Are

You’re a hands‑on technical expert who feels at home where precision, safety, and performance matter most. You thrive in highly regulated environments and stay calm when the stakes are high, bringing structure and clarity to complex kinetic and energetic systems. You don’t just follow processes, you understand them deeply and know how to improve them.

Benefits

Why Join Us?

• The Thrill of the Future – Work on cutting‑edge projects that redefine aerospace.
• Global Innovation Hub – Collaborate with top engineers from all over the world.
• Fast-Paced & High-Growth – Experience the rush of working in a rapidly expanding company.
• Real Impact – Your work won’t be theoretical—it will shape the future of flight.

Destinus is an equal‑opportunity employer. We value diversity in our companies and our teams and do not discriminate based on age, race, religion, color, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status.

Security screening is an integral component of the selection process, ensuring that candidates meet the organization's security standards and safeguarding against potential risks.

Providing a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) is a standard part of the application process at Destinus.