Lead Platform Engineer

About the role

We're looking for a highly driven and experienced Lead platform engineer to personally own one of our core technical differentiators while building and scaling the software organization across our drone systems. In this role, you will be responsible for shipping critical technical domains end-to-end, orchestrating internal and external software modules into one coherent system, and growing the team from 5 to 15+ engineers together with the CTO. This is a senior-IC-first leadership role where you will directly shape our architecture, integration strategy, and engineering culture, ensuring we own the system intelligence that makes European sUAS sovereign and combat-ready. Own the core: drive one key differentiator end-to-end - controls (UAV dynamics, estimation, guidance) or the vision pipeline (ingest, encoding, perception, training data) - and merge critical code yourself. Orchestrate the system: integrate flight controller, companion compute, RF, and GCS into one coherent stack, and define logging, replay, test, and validation infrastructure. Decide make-or-buy: set the strategy for software modules, evaluate suppliers, and prevent vendor lock-in through clean abstraction layers. Manage partners: own technical interfaces and contracts with external companies, keeping system intelligence in-house and within export constraints. Build the team: hire top-tier engineers with no compromise on the bar, scaling from 5 to 15+ FTE together with the CTO. Lead by example: set the technical bar through ownership and role clarity, not authority - drive accountability, performance, and growth paths. Experience: you bring 6-15 years in robotics, UAV, automotive controls, or real-time vision systems in non-corporate environments (startups, scaleups). Track record: you've shipped real systems, not just prototypes, under compute, bandwidth, and power constraints. Deep stack: you have strong C++, embedded Linux, and real-time systems experience. Integration: you've folded third-party code into production and can negotiate technical scope with external companies. Leadership: you have strong hiring instincts, high ownership, and low politics - senior contributor first, manager second. Education: you hold a completed degree or equivalent training in a relevant field, e.g.: Computer science / software engineering Robotics / mechatronics Electrical / aerospace engineering Control systems / applied mathematics Domain: background in defence, aerospace, or other safety-critical systems. Specialism: hands-on with GNSS-denied navigation, low-latency video streaming, or perception/ML pipelines. Compliance: awareness of export control (EU dual-use / ITAR) in a software context. Real impact & ownership: Shape high-tech defense systems and take responsibility from day one. Mission driven environment: Work on technologies that matter for European security and sovereignty. Competitive package: Competitive salary, EGYM Wellpass, corporate benefits, and equity options aligned with role and level. Deep tech environment: Get hands-on experience with cutting-edge drone technology and real operational use cases. Grow fast: Steep learning curve for juniors, strategic influence and leadership opportunities for seniors. Startup mindset meets defence innovation: flat hierarchies, fast decisions, and space for your ideas. Flexibility: Flexible hours, remote options, and relocation support. Strong team: International, driven colleagues and a culture built on exchange, trust, and shared success.

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Company Intel

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