Who we are
Helsing is a defence AI company. Our mission is to protect our democracies. We aim to achieve technological leadership, so that open societies can continue to make sovereign decisions and control their ethical standards.
As democracies, we believe we have a special responsibility to be thoughtful about the development and deployment of powerful technologies like AI. We take this responsibility seriously.
We are an ambitious and committed team of engineers, AI specialists and customer-facing programme managers. We are looking for mission-driven people to join our European teams – and apply their skills to solve the most complex and impactful problems. We embrace an open and transparent culture that welcomes healthy debates on the use of technology in defence, its benefits, and its ethical implications.
The role
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Test Engineer to join our Hardware Engineering team. This role is critical to ensuring the reliability, performance, and safety of our advanced drone mechatronic systems, as well as their auxiliary launch and control systems. The successful candidate will be responsible for the full lifecycle of testing, fromtest requirements definition and test plan development to execution, data analysis, and reporting.
The day-to-day
Test Strategy & Planning:
• Develop comprehensive test strategies, plans, and procedures for mechatronic drone systems (e.g., propulsion, flight control surfaces, payload integration) and associated auxiliary systems (e.g., launch mechanisms, ground control stations, charging systems).
• Define test objectives, scope, success criteria, and resource requirements, ensuring alignment with overall product and mission requirements.
• Collaborate with design, software, and systems engineering teams to ensure testability of designs and alignment with product requirements.
Test Design & Development:
• Design, develop, and implement test fixtures, jigs, and automated test equipment (ATE) for component, sub-system, and system-level testing, often in highly secure and classified environments.
• Develop test scripts and software for automated test sequences (e.g., using Python, MATLAB/Simulink).
• Create detailed test cases and scenarios based on functional, performance, environmental, and safety requirements, considering the unique demands of defense applications.
Test Execution & Data Acquisition:
• Execute rigorous tests, including functional, performance, endurance, environmental (vibration, thermal, humidity), EMI/EMC, and safety testing.
• Operate and maintain test equipment, sensors, and data acquisition systems.
• Meticulously collect, organize, and manage test data, ensuring data integrity and security.
Data Analysis & Reporting
• Analyse test data to identify anomalies, failures, and performance trends.
• Perform root cause analysis for identified issues, collaborating with relevant engineering disciplines to derive actionable solutions.
• Generate clear, concise, and comprehensive test reports, documenting test results, observations, conclusions, and recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Present findings to cross-functional teams and management.
Verification & Validation:
• Ensure that tested systems meet specified requirements and industry standards relevant to defense and aerospace (e.g., RTCA DO-160, MIL-STD-810, as well as principles of AS9100).
• Participate in design reviews, FMEAs, and risk assessments to provide critical testability input and identify potential failure modes.
Collaboration & Communication:
• Work closely with electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Communicate technical information effectively across diverse internal teams and external partners.
• Participate in flight test campaigns and ground operations as needed, adhering to all safety and security regulations.
You should apply if you have have
• (Lead Role): 7+ years of experience in test and validation.
• (Non-Lead Role): 3+ years of experience in test and validation.
• Proven hands-on experience with complex mechatronic systems, robotics, or electro-mechanical systems.
• Direct experience with drone systems, avionics, and/or ground support equipment, particularly in defense or highly regulated industries, is highly desirable.
Technical Skills:
• Strong understanding of test methodologies, data acquisition, and instrumentation.
• Proficiency in programming for test automation (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB).
• Experience with various sensors and their integration.
• Familiarity with communication protocols (e.g., CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet).
• Knowledge of control systems theory and embedded systems.
• Experience with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Catia) for fixture design is a plus.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python data libraries, Excel).
• Understanding of safety-critical systems and associated testing practices.
Soft Skills:
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a meticulous approach to detail.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to produce meticulous, high-quality documentation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, cross-functional team.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English; German language skills are a strong plus.
• Adaptability and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly dynamic, and evolving defense technology environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Education:
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
Note: We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points.
Nice to Have
• Experience with environmental testing standards (e.g., RTCA DO-160, MIL-STD-810) specific to defense or aerospace.
• Experience with FMEA, FTA, and other reliability and safety analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of aviation regulations and certification processes (e.g., EASA, FAA, or military airworthiness standards).
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing.
• Familiarity with AI/ML systems testing within a hardware context.
• A pilot's license or personal experience with drones/UAS
Join Helsing and work with world-leading experts in their fields
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Helsing’s work is important. You’ll be directly contributing to the protection of democratic countries while balancing both ethical and geopolitical concerns
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The work is unique. We operate in a domain that has highly unusual technical requirements and constraints, and where robustness, safety, and ethical considerations are vital. You will face unique Engineering and AI challenges that make a meaningful impact in the world
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Our work frequently takes us right up to the state of the art in technical innovation, be it reinforcement learning, distributed systems, generative AI, or deployment infrastructure. The defence industry is entering the most exciting phase of the technological development curve. Advances in our field of world are not incremental: Helsing is part of, and often leading, historic leaps forward
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In our domain, success is a matter of order-of-magnitude improvements and novel capabilities. This means we take bets, aim high, and focus on big opportunities. Despite being a relatively young company, Helsing has already been selected for multiple significant government contracts
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We actively encourage healthy, proactive, and diverse debate internally about what we do and how we choose to do it. Teams and individual engineers are trusted (and encouraged) to practise responsible autonomy and critical thinking, and to focus on outcomes, not conformity. At Helsing you will have a say in how we (and you!) work, the opportunity to engage on what does and doesn’t work, and to take ownership of aspects of our culture that you care deeply about
What we offer
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A focus on outcomes, not time-tracking
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Competitive compensation and stock options
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Relocation support
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Social and education allowances
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Regular company events and all-hands to bring together employees as one team across Europe
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A hands-on onboarding program (affectionately labelled “Infraduction”), in which you will be building tooling and applications to be used across the company. This is your opportunity to learn our tech stack, explore the company, and learn how we get things done - all whilst working with other engineering teams from day one
Helsing is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.
Helsing's Candidate Privacy and Confidentiality Regime can be found
here.
