Lead Systems Engineer - EO/IR Sensing

Lead Systems Engineer - EO/IR Sensing

Helsing

Munich, Germany

The role

As the Lead System Engineer for EO/IR Sensing, you will own the complete end-to-end integration of the airborne electro-optical/infrared targeting system, from initial requirements definition through to flight test and operational release. Your primary focus will be to translate mission needs into specific performance requirements for detection, tracking, and identification, whilst defining the sensor's concept of operations and algorithm integration. A critical part of your role is to manage the technical supplier interface, lead the verification and test campaign, and ensure seamless data integration with the core mission system to deliver a fully qualified capability.

The day-to-day

• Own day-to-day system engineering and integration of the airborne EO/IR targeting system from requirements through flight test and operational release;
• Translate mission needs into EORTS performance requirements: detection/recognition/identification ranges, FOV/zoom, stabilization/line-of-sight jitter, tracking accuracy, latency, and environmental limits;
• Define and maintain sensor mode set and CONOPS (wide-area search, cueing, target track, ID, geo-pointing, post-strike assessment), including mission-phase behavior and sensor scheduling;
• Lead target detection, tracking, and classification pipeline integration: algorithm selection, data labeling strategy, confidence metrics, and thresholds tuned for operational false-alarm tolerance;
• Ensure robust multi-sensor cueing with other sensors;
• Manage data interfaces/ICDs to mission computer and C2: video formats/encoding, metadata, track outputs, cues, recorder/telemetry needs, and health/BIT reporting;
• Plan and execute verification & test with a special focus on installed senor performance;
• Coordinate with software/avionics teams on data interfaces;
• Manage supplier technical control: review specs, acceptance tests, algorithm releases, and change requests; track issues to closure with objective evidence;
• Define and maintain interfaces/ICDs to avionics and mission systems;
• Produce program artifacts: requirements, verification matrices, test plans, performance reports, and flight readiness inputs.

You should apply if you

• Hold a relevant degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field;
• Have experience in delivering EO/IR targeting systems (gimbals/EOTS/EORTS/ISR pods) through integration, test, and operational release;
• Can translate mission scenarios into DRI requirements (detection/recognition/identification ranges), plus stabilization/LOS jitter, tracking accuracy, latency, and environmental constraints;
• Have hands-on experience with sensor mode design/CONOPS (search, cueing, track, ID, geo-pointing, BDA) and sensor scheduling across mission phases;
• Have integrated detection/tracking/classification pipelines, including thresholding/false-alarm control and confidence metrics (ML-based ATR experience is a plus);
• Understand multi-sensor cueing and track association (radar/ESM to EO/IR handover, metadata alignment, confidence management);
• Have led verification & test (lab/HIL, ground range, flight test support) and can debug issues from imagery to algorithms to avionics/software;
• Can manage supplier technical control: review evidence, control configuration, and drive issues to objective closure.