Senior Systems Engineer

Role Overview

Thunderstrike Aviation is seeking a Systems Project Engineer to take ownership of systems engineering and program execution across complex UAV platforms.

The role sits at the intersection of requirements engineering, technical program management, and system verification, ensuring that engineering development remains aligned with program milestones, compliance requirements, and operational readiness.

You will coordinate across multidisciplinary engineering teams while maintaining the systems engineering framework (V-model), requirements traceability, verification strategy, and supplier engagementrequired to bring advanced unmanned systems into operation.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Engineering

• Own requirements management in ALM tools (e.g., Visure), including structure, traceability, baselines, and change control.
• Maintain the system V-model and V&V strategy, ensuring verification coverage and evidence completeness through ATP.
• Manage system requirements traceability matrices (RTM) and verification artifacts.
• Produce and maintain core system documentation such as product specifications, ICDs, CONOPS, safety artifacts, and operational manuals.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure alignment with STANAG and EASA regulatory frameworks.
• Maintain the compliance matrix and audit readiness.
• Contribute to safety engineering activities including FHA and PSSA analyses.
• Ensure documentation and engineering practices support certification readiness and operational approval (e.g., SORA/Design Verification Process).

Program & Project Execution

• Own and maintain the integrated program schedule in MS Project.
• Manage WBS, dependencies, milestones, and the critical path.
• Run cross-functional engineering program updates and technical planning sessions.
• Track program KPIs, risks, and mitigation actions.

Supplier & Configuration Management

• Engage with suppliers and manage technical deliverables, procurements, and timelines.
• Maintain configuration control across documentation, software baselines, and BOMs.
• Manage supplier lifecycle activities including NDAs, SOWs, and deliverables tracking.

Requirements

• 7–12+ years of experience in systems engineering and technical project/program management.
• Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, or other complex hardware-software systems.
• Experience with requirements management tools such as Visure or similar ALM platforms.
• Strong understanding of V-model development and verification/validation processes.
• Proven ability to coordinate across R&D, engineering, suppliers, and production environments.

Preferred Experience

• UAV / UAS systems development.
• Aerospace compliance frameworks (STANAG, EASA).
• Operational approval processes such as SORA or DVP.
• Safety engineering and hazard analysis (FHA, PSSA).
• Experience in scale-up or R&D-heavy engineering environments.

Core Skills

• Requirements engineering and ALM tools (Visure)
• V-model and V&V management
• Compliance frameworks (STANAG / EASA)
• System documentation and evidence management
• MS Project scheduling and program planning
• Supplier and risk management
• Configuration and document control

Why Join Thunderstrike Aviation?

• Work on next-generation UAV systems at the forefront of unmanned aerospace technology.
• Join a high-growth drone scale-up where engineering decisions move quickly into real-world deployment.
• Take end-to-end ownership of systems engineering and program execution across complex platforms.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across avionics, software, communications, and airframe engineering.
• Play a key role in building mission-ready systems used in real operational environments.

Apply here: Senior Systems Engineer | Thunderstrike Aviation | LinkedIn