System Engineer - Unmanned Underwater Vehicless (Remote)

Ignite; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Relocation support to the Netherlands

On-site prototyping facilities

Job summary

Ignite seeks a lead Systems Engineer for a fast-growing defense-focused startup developing autonomous subsea interceptor platforms. You will own the system across mechanical, hydrodynamic, and electrical domains, turning digital models into physical prototypes in demanding maritime environments.

This role includes leading a small team, managing budgets (Mass, Power, Buoyancy, Drag, Navigation, Communications), and guiding HITL validation from prototype to saltwater deployment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of systems engineering experience with a proven track record leading physical design cycles of complex vehicles.
• Experience bridging mechanical, electrical, and hydrodynamic disciplines.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities in fast-moving teams.

Responsibilities

• Own the complete physical and systemic architecture of subsea platforms, including budgets for Mass, Power, Buoyancy, Drag, Navigation, and Communications.
• Balance trade-offs between payload, speed, and endurance to meet harsh requirements.
• Lead multidisciplinary integration of high-voltage battery architectures, control loops, and sensor payloads within tight envelopes.
• Oversee HITL validation, test campaigns, and trials from prototyping to saltwater deployment.
• Mentor a small engineering team across electrical, acoustic, and avionics domains.

Skills

Systems engineering

AIT (Assembly, Integration & Testing)

Leadership

Education

Degree in Systems Engineering

Job description

*** Candidates NATO country nationality elligible only***

Initial remote start available

Salary: €100,000 – €110,000 base + performance bonus & option pool

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Domain: Defense / Autonomous Maritime Systems

About The Opportunity

A fast-growing engineering startup developing cutting-edge, autonomous subsea interceptor platforms is seeking a lead Systems Engineer. Operating in the defense technology space, the company builds high-performance maritime systems built to withstand extreme environments, such as the North Sea.

In this key role, you will take full system ownership—bridging mechanical, hydrodynamic, and electrical engineering disciplines to bring complex subsea vehicles from digital models to physical reality.

Key Responsibilities

• System Architecture & Budgets: Drive the complete physical and systemic architecture of subsea platforms. Own and strictly manage critical budgets, including Mass, Power, Buoyancy, Drag, Navigation, and Communications.
• Trade-Off Management: Ruthlessly balance compromises between payload, speed, and endurance to satisfy harsh operational requirements.
• Technical Integration: Lead the multidisciplinary integration of high-voltage battery architectures, operational control loops, and sensor payloads within a tightly constrained physical envelope.
• AIT & Testing: Oversee Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) validation, test campaign planning, and operational trials from early prototyping through saltwater deployment.
• Multidisciplinary Leadership: Manage and mentor a small, fast-moving engineering team, filling operational gaps (electrical, acoustic, avionics) as needed during early phase development.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 10 years of systems engineering experience, with a proven track record of leading the physical design cycle of complex vehicles (subsea platforms, aerospace, high-performance maritime, or motorsport).
• Education: Degree in Systems Engineering, Naval Architecture, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent practical experience).
• Technical Mastery: Deep hands‑on experience in Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT). Demonstrated expertise managing physical constraints like watertight integrity, thermal dissipation, shock, and vibration.
• Security & Language: Fluent in English (C1+). Must hold Dutch or NATO-country citizenship with eligibility for security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct UUV or subsea domain expertise.
• Hands-on vehicle building experience (including hobbies or side projects).
• Familiarity with high-voltage battery architectures, acoustic sensors, and hydrodynamic analysis.

What Is Offered

• Impact & Ownership: Complete technical authority over vehicle design decisions and system performance margins.
• Compensation: €100,000 – €110,000 starting base salary, performance-based bonus potential, and future employee equity/stock options.
• Flexibility & Benefits: 25 days annual leave, initial remote onboarding flexibility with relocation support to the Netherlands, and direct access to on-site prototyping facilities for rapid physical iteration.