Senior Systems Engineer – Combat Aircraft (Security)
About this role
Professionals who thrive on solving complex system security challenges while shaping the architecture of advanced combat aircraft will find a strong fit in this Munich-based role. Helsing builds the software-defined intelligence layer for the CA-1 programme, operating at the intersection of defence technology and applied security engineering. This team focuses on cryptographic management, communication security, and compliance frameworks to ensure robust platform performance in demanding operational environments.
Working directly on the aircraft security concept from first principles, this engineer will own intra- and inter-vehicle communication designs, vulnerability analysis, and cryptographic functions like zeroisation. The position exists to bridge high-level national security regulations with tangible engineering execution, collaborating closely with both internal hardware teams and external defence authorities. Ideal candidates bring a combination of rigorous systems engineering discipline and deep cryptographic knowledge, paired with professional fluency in German to interface directly with customers and regulators.
What you will do
- Guide hardware and software design teams through security requirements specification and architectural decisions across the CA-1 programme.
- Develop and maintain the authoritative aircraft-level security concept derived from applicable rules, regulations, and standards.
- Establish repeatable and auditable engineering design processes for product security that scale effectively with programme growth.
- Create and maintain necessary compliance artefacts to ensure the security posture remains demonstrable for national and NATO authorities.
- Design communication security architecture for both on-board and off-board interfaces across the platform.
- Conduct vulnerability analysis and adversarial testing on platform systems to translate findings into actionable engineering mitigations.
What you need
- Designed and delivered end-to-end security architectures for military or defence-grade systems from requirements to compliance evidence.
- Demonstrated ability to apply NATO security standards and German national security frameworks to engineering programmes.
- Experience developing cryptographic management concepts and lifecycle governance for complex platforms.
- Conducted structured vulnerability analysis and adversarial threat assessments on safety-critical networked systems.
- Defined communication security designs for intra- and inter-platform data exchange in defence or government contexts.
- Professional fluency in German with the capability to engage with national security authorities and customers in technical settings.
Nice to have
- Familiarity with IFF systems and their associated security and certification requirements
- Experience designing erase and zeroise functions at aircraft or platform level
- Background in airborne mission systems or avionics security, including familiarity with DO-326A / ED-202A
- Exposure to Common Criteria evaluation processes or equivalent assurance frameworks
- Experience supporting security authority interactions as a named security engineering lead
Benefits
- Competitive salary and VSOP options
- Relocation support of up to €2,500 and 4 weeks temporary accommodation
- Yearly learning allowance of €500/£450
- Health and wellness provisions including gym membership and mental health support via Nilo.health
- Enhanced parental leave of 22 weeks fully paid for primary caregivers and 6 weeks for secondary caregivers
- Regular company events, monthly social allowances, and 5 days of paid family emergency leave
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What language requirements are needed for this position?
Professional fluency in German is an operational necessity. Candidates must be able to engage with national security authorities, regulators, and customers in technical and formal settings.
What does the daily work involve regarding compliance and authorities?
The role requires creating and maintaining compliance artefacts required by national and NATO security authorities. Engineers also engage directly with defence customers like the Bundeswehr to capture requirements and present solutions.
What specific security concepts will this engineer own?
The engineer will develop the aircraft security concept from first principles and own the design of intra- and inter-vehicle communication security. They also lead the platform-level cryptographic management approach, including functions like erase and zeroise.