Director of System Engineering (Aerial Systems)

Description

DRS RADA is a global pioneer of RADAR systems for active military protection, counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance.

As the System Engineer Team Lead in our Aerial Interception Technologies team, you will be the architectural anchor for our next-generation interceptor and tactical UAS program. You will bridge the gap between operational requirements and multidisciplinary engineering execution.

This is a foundational role requiring a systems-thinking mindset to navigate strict SWaP-C constraints, manage complex subsystems interfaces, and drive the product from conceptual design through successful field integration and flight testing.

Key Responsibilities

• System Architecture & Design: Lead the definition of the overall system architecture (interceptor, ground control station, and data links). Translate operational needs into high-level System Requirement Documents (SRD) and Subsystem Specifications.
• SWaP-C Budget Management: Own and track critical system-level budgets including Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C), balancing trade-offs between battery life, propulsion, payload, and structural limits.
• Interface Control (ICD): Define, document, and manage physical, electrical, and software interfaces between avionics, GNC algorithms, power management, communications, and payloads.
• Engineering Governance: Lead formal technical milestones and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
• V&V and Integration: Develop the system-level Verification and Validation (V&V) strategy. Write System Test Plans/Descriptions (STP/STD) and spearhead laboratory, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and open-air flight test campaigns.
• Vendor & Subcontractor Management: Define technical statements of work (SOW) and preliminary specifications for critical tier-1 suppliers (propulsion, sensors, battery technology).

Requirements

• Education: B.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience: 8+ years of hands-on experience in multidisciplinary systems engineering within the autonomous drone industries.
• Attributes: Exceptional leadership and communication skills; ability to influence matrixed engineering teams without direct managerial authority.